The Chronicles of Kale: Dawn of Retribution (Book 2) (19 page)

The fairy’s large, twinkling eyes gazed up tenderly and she smiled sweetly.

“She’s so tiny . . . I wonder if she is able to understand my words.” Neelan lifted the fairy closer to her face. “Can you speak, little one?”

The fairy nodded and began to twirl upon Neelan’s palm in the most beautiful dance. Her movement was so graceful that Neelan stood mesmerized, in awe of the tiny creature.

Soon, many other fairies hovered above, inspecting the group in silence. They began to creep closer with each passing moment, holding their gaze forward at all times.

When the beautiful fairy concluded her dance, she paused with her back to Neelan.

“That was lovely!” Neelan cheerfully spoke. She held out a finger, slowly moving it toward the fairy that remained facing the opposite direction. “Are you all right, little one?”

The fairy’s head jerked back to look over her shoulder.

Neelan gasped as she saw the many long, pointed teeth which were much too large for the fairy’s mouth.

The fairy released a monstrous growl as she lunged for Neelan’s finger.

Neelan stumbled back and flung the fairy defensively away from her body.

“
Coravaxia!
” Thomas sighed and pointed a finger at the fairy.

The tiny creature convulsed in a state of violent motion before exploding from the inside.

“Now you see. Fairies are deceitful little beings. Do not be fooled by their fragile appearance.” Thomas looked toward the group of fairies which swarmed above. “Stand back, my friends.” Thomas pushed up a sleeve.

“Shoo-shoo!” A rough voice called out.

Kale and his comrades watched as the fairies scattered into the distance.

“Wretched things they are. My distaste for this side of the lake grows with every visit.” A small, grey creature with wide, pointed ears hobbled up to Kale. “So you’re the one—smaller than I thought.” His black, beady eyes panned across the group. “A magic-wielder, an archer, and a swordsman—you have preference for useful companions, I see. A wise choice indeed.”

“Are you the Keeper?” Kale questioned.

“I am not. Though the Keeper is close—waiting for you. My name is Dibble.” He dramatically bowed; gasping as the cloth from his shawl fell from his right arm. He quickly adjusted the fabric before anyone took notice.

“You are a gord; am I correct?” Thomas asked.

“Indeed I am—fine crafters we are—renowned for our ability to create wondrous items.” Dibble placed a fist upon his puffed chest with pride.

“A gord? I’ve never heard of such creatures . . .” Neelan raised an eyebrow with uncertainties.

“Yes, dear, gords are distant relative to the goblins,” Thomas replied.

“Hogwash!” Dibble growled. “Do not compare us with such dimwits. Our craftsmanship is far superior to their abilities—we’re smarter too,” he added.

“Didn’t the goblins construct Mirion’s treasure chamber? It’s known for its solid and nearly impenetrable structure,” Illadar questioned without ill intention.

“They build mere human
toys
,” Dibble snapped. “We build magnificent creations.” He raised his arms above his head in a grand gesture. Unexpectedly, the red shawl which had concealed his right side tumbled to the ground.

Dibble quickly cradled his uncovered arm and turned his back to the group—but not before Kale could see the familiar blackened flesh.

“It’s you!” Kale yelled as he lunged for Dibble.

With a swift motion, he latched his fingers firmly into Dibble’s frilled, white blouse. His other fist swung toward the skies as the dangerously sharp claws split through his skin.

Dibble’s eyes widened as he turned a cheek and pinched his eyes tightly shut. His arms raised defensively across his face in preparation for the blow. “Please wait!” The frightened gord cried out. “I took them on behalf of the Keeper! It was to ensure the safety of the eggs so that they did not shatter upon reaching the bottom of your drop.”

Kale instantly released his grip and lightly shoved Dibble away. “Where is the Keeper?”

Dibble eyed Kale’s mutated hand with intrigue. “I knew that I sensed it in you . . .” He smiled for the first time, revealing many small teeth, pointed at the tips. “I shall escort you to the Keeper.” He wiped his long, crooked nose and took Kale by the hand.

Kale cringed and looked to his friends to follow.

They approached the field of enchanting flora and were awed by the view. Long, pink flowers in the shape of a cone hung like bells; white clusters looked like greatly enlarged roses; and small, strongly scented buds that frequently altered their colors covered the field.

“Walk slowly—and silently.” Dibble cautioned. “If I say run—we run.”

Neelan shot a nervous glance toward Kale before reaching over a shoulder to confirm her bow was still secured in place. She tucked a long strand of hair behind an ear and nodded in readiness.

As they moved forward, Illadar found himself struggling with each step down the narrow path. His wide feet slowly pressed into the soil with caution. He felt like a giant in the confined space.

Thomas remained at the back of the group, moving forth with stealth. He held a wide hand open in preparation for any dangers which might arise; ready to conjure protection upon the group if necessary.

They moved past a thicket of the bell-shaped flowers and into the color-changing buds. A reflective glimmer from the lake ahead could be seen, separating them from a dark, gaping cave entrance.

Illadar looked ahead, mesmerized by a cascading waterfall that hissed softly in the distance as it spilled down into the lake. The sweet scent from the flowers was potent, and the majestic scenery caused him to momentarily lose focus. He stumbled over his own foot, sending him noisily stomping forward into the nearby brush.

“Run!” Dibble called out as his stout legs raced toward the lake.

“I hear something!” Neelan spoke as she hurried behind Kale. From her peripheral vision she could see something pushing against the flowers. It was low to the group and approaching fast.

“It’s the shar’ka—do not let it reach you, keep moving!” Dibble commanded.

“It’s here!” Neelan reached out to grip Kale’s shirt as the pale blue human arm reached out and wrapped its fingers around her ankle. Neelan released a shrill cry as the shar’ka tightened its grip, causing her to fall forward against Kale.

Kale turned to see the creature pulling Neelan along the ground, toward the bush. She clawed her fingers into the soft soil and struggled to break free, thrusting her legs wildly.

“Let her go!” Kale demanded as claws split through his fingertips.

He swiped at the bushes to reach the shar’ka. Kale cared not for the dangers he might encounter upon confrontation. With another swift slash, a cluster of buds fell, revealing the monstrous creature.

Its body appeared much like a humans, though it walked upon all fours with its back facing the ground. Its joints were bent in an abnormal fashion and its flesh-tone looked as though it had been drowned—blue, and lightly spotted with random pigmentation. The creature’s head was completely bald with lidless eyes that bulged from the skull. Its teeth looked like sharp pieces of black, broken glass within its eerily human-like mouth. The shar’ka emitted a noise that sounded like gurgling within its throat.

“I said, let her go!” Kale swung his clawed hand forward.

The pointed tips tore into the creature’s side. Before Kale could catch his breath, the shar’ka’s arm shot out, stretching to an abnormal length. Its fingers clamped down upon Kale’s neck and lifted him into the air. Kale swung his feet in a frenzy, while struggling to break free.

Thomas and Illadar neared the creature, prepared to attack, when the shar’ka pulled Neelan in front to shield its body.

“Just do it!” Neelan called to her friends. “Don’t let him harm Kale!”

Thomas and Illadar stole a glance at Kale, then back to Neelan.

“Bloody hell, this isn’t good.” Illadar shifted his hands upon the hilt of his claymore.

“Don’t even think about it!” Kale yelled. He raised his claws, and in one swipe, sliced through the shar’ka’s arm.

The creature howled and withdrew its severed limb.

Kale landed upon his feet in a squatted position with his fist to the ground. His claws had vanished and now his fingers burned red with warmth.

“Goodness, I do believe he’s learning to master another ability.” Thomas spoke softly to Illadar.

The shar’ka bared its vicious, flesh-tearing teeth before turning to flee within the meadow.

“No,” Thomas spoke before Kale could make his move. “Do not pursue the creature. You have won for now. We must continue our path to the Keeper.”

Kale knew that despite his longing for the hunt, he needed to find the Keeper and ensure the eggs were safe. His only hope was that the Keeper truly was his mother. The thought of such a possibility made his stomach turn with anxiety.

The group pressed on through the flowers at a rapid pace that Dibble ensured they kept. The gord did not speak upon what had just occurred; he held his focus constantly forward on the lake ahead. There was no longer the need to tread silently, as their presence was now known, and the group tromped noisily onward.

“I hear it . . .” Neelan whispered. “Coming.”

“
Run
.” Dibble commanded. “They have come to finish.”

The group rushed past the bushes, which opened into a sandy bank. A quaint wooden boat could be seen nearby.

“Get in—now!” Dibble called as he shoved Kale and Neelan. “Do
not
touch the water.”

They raced to the boat and quickly climbed inside, heeding Dibble’s warning to not make contact with the water. It was a snug fit and the boat teetered uncomfortably close to the water’s surface.

As Thomas sat upon the narrow, wooden seat, they heard the snarling growls.

Five shar’ka’s thrashed out from the bushes and lunged toward the boat—ground was closing between them rapidly.

“Go!” Kale yelled. “How do we move this thing?!”

Thomas raised his hand which glowed with a vibrant, green aura.

“
Tra’nek lish’ton moribara
.” Dibble spoke before Thomas could unleash his attack.

The small boat cast itself off shore and drifted into the lake. Two of the shar’ka’s extended their rubbery arms, targeting the boat.

“
Alaria
!” Thomas shouted.

The first creature’s hand hit hard against the barrier, quickly withdrawing in pain.

Kale knew the invisible shield could only protect against a single blow, and casting it multiple times would result in exhausting Thomas’s strength. He stood and drew his blade. The boat rocked and he could hear Dibble gasp aloud. With a swift motion, Kale’s blade sliced through the other shar’ka’s wrist, mere inches before his face.

The creature threw its body back in agony and withdrew the severed limb.

From the shore, the shar’kas hissed angrily as the boat drifted beyond their reach.

“I do hope you have another route when the time comes to leave this place. I don’t fancy they’ll be welcoming us back with open arms—unless of course it is to rip our heads apart with their lovely array of flesh-tearing teeth,” Thomas said while keeping his eyes locked upon the sandy beach.

Kale laughed and raised his sword above his head victoriously to mock the creatures.

“Kale, stop! You’re rocking the boat and will  cause water to spill in!” Neelan demanded.

“Do not allow the water to touch us!” Dibble spoke in a frightened voice as he lifted his feet cautiously up from the floor of the boat.

“It’s just water; what harm could it possibly—” Kale lost his footing and frantically fought for balance.

A strong grip caught him by the forearm and pulled him safely into the boat. The force of the tug had caused him to loosen grip upon the sword which spiraled out into the lake. The weapon hit the choppy surface, causing a splash which nearly sent water into the boat.

The group watched as the blade quickly began to corrode and crumble as it sank down below.

“Acid. . .” Thomas spoke.

“You are wise.” Dibble replied. “It is indeed acid. This boat is the only means to cross the lake. It was enchanted by Oran himself so that only those worthy may pass into the sacred land.”

Kale swallowed hard and gave silent thanks to Illadar, who had once again saved his life.

They drifted across the lake without another word. Grand walls of rock bordered each side, leaving only a single path to the shore ahead. As they approached the sandy beach, Neelan was the first to see it—the shrouded figure which appeared from the gaping, dark cave.

Chapter 18: The Dragon War

T
he boat slid upon the powdery, white sand and Kale held his eyes upon the cloaked figure that stood in silence.

“Dibble. . .” Kale whispered as he curled his fingers into a tightened fist, unsure if the mysterious individual was a foe. “Do you know this person?”

Dibble nodded. “Indeed I do. This here is the Keeper.”

Kale took a step back in surprise and his eyes widened. He had not expected such a subtle entrance from someone of such importance. He anxiously awaited the moment to come, and yet now he was not prepared with words for their confrontation. His palms grew moist with perspiration and his palate felt incredibly dry.

“Z-Zasha . . . is that you?” Kale forced the words.

His friends stood behind him in silence, staring forward as the figure approached.

The Keeper stopped before Kale and lifted a hand to the lip of their hood. The cloth fell back, revealing spiraling red hair and twinkling golden eyes that Kale instantly recognized.

“Thank you for escorting them to me, Dibble,” the woman spoke.

“It
is
you!” Kale said as a flood of emotions surged through him.

“My little one, how I have so longed to see you before me once again.” Zasha extended her arms and pulled Kale into a tight embrace. A tear of joy rolled from her cheek as she gently rocked him, her head placed against his chest. “To feel your warmth, beyond what has been in dreams, is more than I could ever hope for.” She placed a hand upon his face and gazed lovingly into his eyes. “My Firehart—my son; I have missed you so . . .” Her eyes glazed over as she spoke and more tears showered her cheeks. “The last time I was by your side, you were no more than a hatchling.” Zasha looked to the side, dodging Kale’s glance. “Saying goodbye was the hardest moment of my life. I was unsure if I would ever see you again, my darling son. This I swear will never happen again as long as I shall breathe within the world.”

Kale took a small step back, at a loss for words. For so long he had not thought upon the reason his mother would have left him alone at such a young and helpless age. Mixed emotions tugged at his heart.

“Why?” Kale finally mustered the will to question his mother. “Why did you leave me alone to live a life of solitude and loneliness?”