Amulet of Souls (The Sentinels of Wizgrad Book 1) (7 page)

"Wow..." Thorley said in amazement "That were really sum treasure ya had there" he added. Iris did not respond, angered that she had lost something so important and so easily.

It was not long until those auctions had finished, and the slaves from the cells were taken out, cell by cell. These sales took longer than the previous ones as the bidders inspected the slaves.

Iris, Zelkith and Thorley were the last to be taken out. The Ogre unlocked the cell and took hold of the chain. They were pulled out of the cells and past the desk. The desk had all the paperwork removed and was empty. They were taken outside, up some cobblestone stairs and shoved onto a large stage. The sudden brightness as they came out from the cells made them stumble as they walked. Once their eyes had adjusted they could see a crowd of various races.

"Here we have an interesting lot, including an intriguing magical amulet on the Elf here. We urge you not to touch it as it seems cursed" the auctioneer said.

Several people came over and poked them with sticks. They took particular interest in Zelkith, great wolves were renowned for extraordinary strength. There was, however, one person who took no interest in Zelkith at all. He was completely hidden in a long black hooded robe. The robed man stood up and stared at Iris. His eyes were strange and glowed murky orange in the darkness of his hood. She was overcome with a strange feeling in her stomach.

There was something strange about this person, but more so the way he made Iris feel. She felt the same way as she did during the Joining, with a strange feeling of familiarity. The robed person slowly reached out to Iris's chest and gently lifted the amulet from her neck. He held it in his palm like it was highly fragile, his hand was a dark purple in colour and he must have been a Dark Elf like Iris. He then placed it down just as carefully. It did not hurt him at all.

The man disregarded Zelkith and Thorley and walked to the back of the crowd. Iris was enthralled by this Elf. She watched him carefully and was completely oblivious that the auction had begun. The bids were steady and just near the end, the hooded Elf bid and won. Iris was shunted along and off the stage. Iris tripped and she lost eye contact with the Elf when she stumbled.

Iris looked back to see that he had already disappeared into the crowd. The three of them were taken off the stage, still shackled together. Another Dark Elf paid the person who was sat at the desk near the cells. He had all the paperwork next to him and took the money in return for a sheet of paper.

The Dark Elf rolled it up and slid it under his arm. The Dark Elf had four strange rings around his arm. He removed one of the rings from his arm and clipped it around Iris’ leg. The ring illuminated a bright blue and shrank to tightly fit her leg. He then did the same to Zelkith, Thorley and a fourth person Iris had not noticed until now.

The Dark Elf then told the Ogre to unshackle the prisoners. The Ogre did as he requested and unlocked the shackles. The moment the chains were released the fourth prisoner took a run for it and darted into the crowd.

"No, wait!" The Dark Elf yelled, but he did not give chase. Within fifteen seconds a bright white flash of lightning struck down within the crowd. Screams erupted and the crowd unintentionally surrounded where the flash came from.

All Iris could see was smoke rise from the crowd. The Dark Elf walked toward the smoke and paused. He looked straight at Iris and said that they would end up the same if they did not stay close enough to him. Iris, Zelkith and Thorley scurried along behind the Dark Elf. They pushed through the crowd to see a pile of ashes on the floor where the lightning struck. The Dark Elf leant down into the ashes and picked out the Bracelet that he had put around the man’s leg. In shock, Iris realised that the lightning had emerged from inside the ring.

"Took me ages to fill that," the Dark Elf said.

What a cruel way to keep people, making it so easy to escape, but certain death if you got far enough.
Iris thought to herself.

They walked through the crowd to the outskirts of Alphaport. They turned off onto a cobblestoned pathway which dwindled into a dirt track.

The walk was several miles, but not particularly unpleasant. No one spoke, just the birdsong and the gentle gust of the wind that blew through the trees. The fresh air filled their lungs and the heavy chains had been removed. The peace was not long-lived however, as they soon reached a secluded little cottage with a thatched roof and smoke billowed from the chimney.

They stepped into a warm and cosy kitchen, various fruit and vegetables were spread along a wooden work surface. It was far from the torture room Iris had expected. The Dark Elf pushed them through the kitchen and opened a trap door in the next room. He ordered them to climb down the stairs and they obeyed. It was more like the inside of a cavern than a basement. The Dark Elf instructed them to go into separate cells, which were embedded into the rock itself, with just the cell bars to separate them.

The Dark Elf locked the cells and walked away.  It was at that moment that Iris remembered that they were to assassinate two Dark Elves, and he was most likely one of the targets. They must have known they were from the Legion,
Limbo
and the amulet would have given it away to anyone who knew.

The same Dark Elf had bought
Limbo
and he had picked up the amulet from her neck and he did not burn his hands like everyone else. Iris gave Zelkith a look and Zelkith must have thought the same thing and just nodded.

The hooded Elf appeared from the darkness beyond, his robe draped long over his body and hands. He walked up to the cells and paced up and down beside them, looking into each cell as he went past.

"I believe you had something of mine," the Elf said in a sinister and firm voice. He stopped at the middle cell where Iris was and reached into his cloak.

"One of you was in possession of this!" he said, as he pulled out one of the handles of
Limbo
from inside his cloak. Iris and Zelkith tried to keep calm, but Thorley had a frightened look on his face.

The Dark Elf noticed Thorley and walked over to his cell. "So, it was you, was it?" The Dark Elf said calmly "where did you steal them, pirate?" he asked in a sinister tone. Thorley did not respond.

"So you’re going to play it like that then, are you?" The Dark Elf said, "well, there is another way to get information."

Iris watched as the Dark Elf’s eyes glowed orange. The Dark Elf then threw a sword into the cell that Thorley was in. Thorley picked up the sword without hesitation. The Dark Elf walked close to the bars of the cell with a smirk on his face. "It would be an awful shame if you lost a finger, wouldn’t you agree?" The Dark Elf said.

Thorley put the blade to his opposite hand and pressed deep into the skin. "I can't move my body!" Thorley stated in a panic, his face was full of fear.

"I will ask again, where did you steal them?" The Dark Elf said fiercely.

"I don't know! Please don't…yaaagh!" Thorley yelped in pain as he cut off his own finger. The lifeless finger oozed out blood on the cell floor.

"Let's move it up a notch shall we?" The Dark Elf said, his eyes still glowed deep orange under his hood. Thorley moved the sword up to his face and started tapping the tip of the bloodied sword against his cheek.

"Would be hard to steal when you can’t see," The Dark Elf said. Thorley raised his arm up and pointed the tip of the sword directly at his eye.

"Tell me!" The Dark Elf said, he seemed to enjoy torture.

"I don't know I promise!" Thorley pleaded to the Dark Elf. The Dark Elf smirked and Thorley pulled his arm away to pierce his own eye.

"No, stop!" Iris yelled. Thorley stopped his arm just in front of his eye, The Dark Elf gave a glare at Iris, as did Zelkith.

"Iris what are you doing?!" Zelkith muttered under his voice.

Thorley then threw the sword outside the cell and The Dark Elf’s eyes stopped the glow. Thorley fell to the floor and grunted in pain, he gripped his injured hand. The Dark Elf walked up to Iris's cell and unlocked the cell door.

"I should have known it was you from the beginning! Not only do you have The Amulet of Souls, but you were in possession of
Limbo
." The Dark Elf said. He stormed into the cell and pushed Iris against the wall, his hands around her throat.

"What do you want from me?" Iris said. She struggled for breath through the pressure around her neck.

"Answers!" The Dark Elf yelled, "where did you get them?!" he said. Iris had no reason to lie. She felt the same strange feeling overcome her from when she saw him at the auction.

"They were given to me, to protect" she replied.

"Liar! Who did you steal them from?" The Dark Elf yelled. He pushed harder on Iris's throat. Iris grabbed his hands and tried to get him off, but his grip was strong and it did not weaken. Iris felt her body become starved of oxygen, her vision started to blur.

"Like you would care, traitor of Legion!" Zelkith shouted at The Dark Elf. The Dark Elf dropped Iris to the floor, who coughed and wheezed uncontrollably.

"What would an exiled remnant of a great wolf know of the Legion!" The Dark Elf shouted angrily.

"We know what you have been planning" Zelkith retaliated.

“Oh please do enlighten me with your fountain of knowledge.”

“You’ve been planning to overthrow the Legion by getting us all killed!”

"Just who do you think you are?!"

"Wait, Zelkith...we were wrong," Iris said in a moment of clarity.

"What!" Zelkith said amazed. The Dark Elf turned around to look at Iris, she looked back into his eyes.

"You’re him...The one that left" Iris said.

"Stop playing with me, I want to know where you got them."

"I told you already, I was given them. I was meant to have them."

"Is that so?" The Dark Elf said. He held out the
Limbo
in his hands. He said that if she was meant to have them, she must battle him using one. She made a bargain that if she won they would be set free. The truth was Thorna never got a chance to train her with them, and she had no idea how to use them.

Iris took a handle from his hands and stood back. The Dark Elf let her make the first move. She closed her eyes and tried to picture a sword. She tried and tried, but nothing happened.

"It matters not how you got them. It’s time to die!" The Dark Elf said. A large deep blue sword emanated from the handle in his hand. He leapt toward Iris and slashed it at her. With a loud clang, the sword hit a blue shield, which had come from the handle Iris held in her hand. She used the shield as a weapon and pushed it into the shocked Dark Elf who tumbled over on his back.

"How is that even possible?" The Dark Elf said surprised. Iris tried to make the shield turn into a weapon and again it disappeared. She could not control it at all.

"Must be magical trickery!" He said. His sword turned into a club, he ran toward Iris and swung the club at her. The shield did not appear, the club whacked against her arms and sent her to the floor. The Dark Elf jumped on top of her and the club turned into a dagger. He pushed the tip into her throat.

"Any last words?" The Dark Elf said.

"I’m your sister!” Iris cried.

"What did you just say?" The Dark Elf said. He pulled the dagger away from Iris’ throat.

"We are the same, you and I," Iris said, she hoped he knew he had a sister.

"How do I know this is not just more lies," The Dark Elf said.

Iris explained what she was told by the spirit of Biren at the Joining and the story she learned from Mireylon about how Dartis forced him from the throne.

"It's really you..." The Dark Elf said in shock.

It then struck into Zelkiths head too. Mireylon spoke of a Dark Elf called Efrundle, that Dartis forced to leave and that he was the rightful heir to leadership in the Legion. It was no surprise that Dartis would not have told Iris that.

"It IS you. I am so sorry" Efrundle said sincerely. He stepped off Iris and helped her up. He explained that he was often targeted by assassins portending to be her.

"I don't understand, how would anyone know who I am?" Iris asked curiously.

"You have no idea do you..." Efrundle said to himself "let me show you something" he continued.

"Wait, let the prisoners go, they are with me" Iris insisted. Efrundle did as Iris asked and opened the two cells. He then led them back up and out of the cellar, and into the warm cosy house. He took them through the kitchen and into a room with a single table, a large fireplace and a large painting on the wall.

The other Elf was sat at the table, food still in his mouth when he noticed them walk in.

“What the hell are you doing?” the Elf spat, food sprayed over his plate. Efrundle held up his hand to indicate it was fine. Efrundle got them to sit at the table, Zelkith sat beside them. Efrundle brought through some food from the kitchen. They had not eaten for so long, they wolfed down their food like wild animals.

After they had eaten, Efrundle asked Iris what she noticed when she looked at the painting. It was a painting of a family, but it was not your usual family. It looked like two couples. On the left was a Dark Elf male, with a delicate and fair skinned Wood Elf female next to him. They each held a young Dark Elf baby in their arms. On the right was a pair of Dark Elves. What surprised Iris most was that the two males looked identical, although one had a distinctive orange glow in his eyes.

"It’s difficult to say, the man looks like the Legion founder Biren, but why is he there twice, and with two different people?" Iris said confused.

"You are right, somewhat. The male on the left is Biren and his Wife Airianna. On the right is his twin brother Astrid and his wife" Efrundle said.

"So what happened to the children?"

"Have you not figured that out yet?" Iris shook her head, how would she know what happened to their children.

“Biren and Airianna are our parents” Efrundle explained. Iris’s eyes opened wide with the idea of how that was even possible.

“But…I thought my real parents were simple townsfolk” Iris said.

“I think he's telling the truth, Iris,” Zelkith said. Iris stared at the picture, focused on Astrid, Biren’s twin brother. “He looks just like the person who bound me to you, and that other Elf, I won’t ever forget those eyes” he continued.

Iris still did not believe it, Efrundle told her to try hard and think back to her Joining to what Biren said to her. She could recall most of the things he said clearly, but one part sprung to mind that she did not understand.

Before Biren died, he said that he was pleased to finally see his daughter, but Iris had passed out and she did not remember until now. “But how did you find out, why I was never told?” Iris asked.

Biren and Astrid disagreed on what they should do to keep the children safe. Biren believed that they should hide the children within their race to keep them safe from the war. Astrid felt that the children should be raised with them, and be ready to lead the war. Biren did as he thought best and placed Iris in the care of the Dark Elves before he created the Legion and sacrificed his life to remain within the snake monument until Iris was old enough. Efrundle was placed under the care of Morton at the Legion and Efrundle was destined to be a leader until Dartis bribed Efrundle to leave.

“I want to know your story, how you got here, how you survived, what has become of the Legion?” Efrundle asked.

Iris did not have an easy childhood. Her foster parents did not show any love for Iris and she was made to eat and sleep with Zelkith out in the stables alongside the rest of the farm animals. She worked on the farmland to earn her food and very rarely saw anyone but her foster parents. When she was still young, the farm was attacked, but she escaped with Zelkith. She never saw her foster parents again, and she travelled the towns and woods in search of her real parents. Many years passed when she met a small tribe of strange humans who spoke their own language. She spent many years with them and learnt how to create a shelter and what food she could and could not eat from the wild.

One day the tribe was attacked by a band of men, and the entire tribe perished. Iris was lucky that the Legion arrived just before she would have been killed. When the fighting had finished the Legion offered sanctuary to Iris and would train her to defend herself. Iris took the opportunity and went with them.

She went to the Legion stronghold and was trained in hand to hand combat and after that, she had finished the Joining. She then began to explain how Thorna gave her
Limbo
, how she got the amulet and that the stronghold was attacked. She told him about Dartis the leader and how he believed Efrundle and the other Dark Elf were responsible for the attack and told Iris to assassinate them.

“That sneaky rat!” Efrundle shouted in frustration “why did Morton not stop you?” he added.

“Morton erm...There's something I need to tell you about him.”

“What?! What is it?” Efrundle said in a panic. Iris explained that Morton had put something strange into the python’s mouth at the Joining. She told him that Dartis banished Morton and branded him as a traitor. Iris could see the shock on Efrundle’s face, but more so the rage that built within him.

Efrundle had picked up an empty vase that was next to him and it was thrown against the wall with a scream. “The vermin filled excuse of a man will pay for this betrayal! Corrupting the Legion with his lies and poisonous words.” Efrundle yelled out in anger.

“There is one thing,” Zelkith said.

“What is it?!” Efrundle snapped.

“Before he stepped through the portal, he said something that sounded like 'Vivo'“.

Efrundles expression changed from angered to shocked.

“What is it Efrundle?” The other Elf asked.

“He is still alive,” Efrundle said.

“I don't understand, how?” Zelkith asked.

“Vivo is a spell. In ancient Dark Elf language, it means to survive. It’s a spell that will put his body into hibernation.”

“So we can rescue him?” Iris said.

“Yes, and that's what we shall do,” Efrundle said, but it would still not be easy. Their journey would take them into the harsh coldness of Icethorpe, a frozen town of the north.

They rested for the night, Iris, Zelkith and Thorley slept near the warm, open fire. They woke to a strange but pleasant smell from the kitchen. Iris walked into the kitchen to see Efrundle pull out a tray of what looked like pastry.

“They smell lovely,” Iris said.

“Ah yes, it's a recipe Morton used to use when we went on long missions, it lasts for months before going stale,” he said. He put down a tray of weird purple blocks and sliced them into squares.

Efrundle looked at Iris with a look of concern and dismay. He tugged the tatty ripped shirt and rough woven trousers that Iris wore and shook his head.

“You won't last two minutes in Icethorpe in those,” Efrundle said. He took Iris into Alphaport into the main shopping markets.

Efrundle took Iris to a tailor and got her measured up. After she was measured Efrundle bought some sheepskin wool and several thick black leather strips.

“Thank you, sir, your order shall be done within two days,” the tailor said and Efrundle handed him two gold tado coins. On the walk back he bought some supplies and tools for the journey that was to come. They arrived back at the cottage and walked into the kitchen to see Zelkith sat in wait.

“Where the hell did you... Oh...” Zelkith said when he saw the tools and provisions.

They had two days before they would be ready to leave, so Efrundle used the opportunity to train Iris how to use
Limbo
. They stood outside and Efrundle opened his hands, one handle sat on each side.

“Now do you see anything about them, anything...Different?” Efrundle asked.

Iris picked up the handles and looked all over, but they looked identical. Efrundle took them back and pointed the crystal at the bottom to Iris.

“Look again,” he asked.

“The crystals, they have patterns inside, different ones.”

“So you can see them,” Efrundle said.

The one on his left with a swirled pattern in the crystal held the power to defend. It meant the handle could be used to make any shape so long as it protected the user. The second handle had a lined pattern inside, this was offence and could be used to make any object to attack.

“Once you know those fundamentals, it makes it much easier to learn how to use them,” Efrundle said. He handed Iris
Limbo
. She glared into the crystals to see which one was which and held them how she felt comfortable, defence in her left, offence in her right hand.

“Now, imagine a sword in your right hand, and then a shield in your left” Efrundle said. Iris concentrated on an image of a sword and shield in her mind.  She opened her eyes and saw a blue sword and shield emanate from
Limbo
but they disappeared a moment later.

Mireylon explained that to maintain the weapons, Iris needed to keep her concentration on them continually. By the end of the first day, Iris had managed to keep the weapons visible for several minutes and run at the same time.

The next day Efrundle stepped up the training, it was the last day they would have free before heading to save Morton. Efrundle whispered into the other Elf’s ear and then walked around Iris and stood the opposite side to the other Elf.

“Seth and I are going to fire spells at you and you need to dodge them while keeping your sword and shield up too,” Efrundle said. Efrundle and Seth both had a small wand in their hands and both sent harmless spells at Iris.

Iris deftly dodged the first two spells, but the third one hit and sent a shiver of electricity through her body. She lost her focus, and the sword and shield disappeared.

“Again” Efrundle repeated.

They continued the training for the rest of the day, and by the end of the day, Iris was both physically and mentally exhausted. Everyone had gone inside by nightfall. Zelkith and Thorley had the fire burning. Everyone had their last meal before they were to leave for Icethorpe.

“So, Icethorpe... Just how bad is it?” Iris asked.

“It's now just a stormy wasteland of snow and ice. It used to be the largest desert in Wizgrad until the frost dragons took it” Efrundle said.

Thorley gave Efrundle a questioned look. “A stormy wastelands? Hah,” Thorley laughed. “The snow storms are so thick, you cannot see your hands in front of your face, so cold that you cannot feel your body, we could not possibly survive in that for several hours, let alone days or weeks” he continued.

“How are we supposed to get through that, and find a single man within it,” Zelkith said.

“I can help with the cold,” Seth said. He raised his arm and out of his hand a flame burst from his fingertips.

“Finding Morton is easy enough, I know someone who owes me a favour, and is perfect for the job,” Efrundle said.

“But I thought Icethorpe was over miles and miles of sea?” Iris said. Everyone looked at Thorley. From what they gathered he had been there and he was an accomplished sailor back in his day. “What are you all looking at me for? No way!” Thorley said.

Seth lifted his foot and pointed at his ankle and then pointed at Thorley’s. The ring that was put on him after being sold at the auction was still on his leg. Iris and Zelkith had theirs taken off the moment Efrundle knew who it was.

“Thorley, once you get us over the sea to Icethorpe, we will take off the ring and set you free,” Efrundle said. “I guess I don't really have much choice anyway,” Thorley said.

“Rest well tonight, it's a long journey, but we must not forget why we are doing this,” Efrundle said. The next day they packed up tools and food for the voyage.

“We will have to come back past once we get our guide, we can leave our supplies here for now,” Efrundle said.

They walked down to Alphaport and collected the leather made clothes for Iris. The leather clothes had a grey fur lining around the edge and thick sheepskin padding inside. She put on the brand new and nicely fitted leather clothing and Iris felt the warmth straight away.

Iris grinned with excitement as she walked about in her comfy new clothes. Efrundle led them into the back streets which was not a pleasant part of Alphaport at all. The smell was overwhelmingly bad and it was dotted with drunks that would wander from tavern to tavern.