Krothwing, Rishk, Renthar, Imforo, Hanone-thaine, Skeldruc,
Present:
Clal with the F’element globe.
Ryth:
Leara:
Skyla
Larkin
Sedrak: in the air, on the ground, with the party?
The Climactic Scene of the first novel in the 5 book series:
Legends of Clal
Book 1: “Skyland’s Rising” (working title)
Clal and his companions stepped through the ice-made archway out into the vastness of the ice forest. Here, set centuries ago, were trees, hundreds of trees turned to statues as the snow and ice encased them within its wintery grasp. The scene was lonely; a deserted land. The trees were neither dead nor alive. Wholly white earth cast upon a power blue sky. At the edges of the massive island were great ice drifts, formed through the forces of the winds that blew at a constant rate. The elevation of such a form was higher than Clal had ever experienced, all except the ride he took upon Sedrak’s back only a few hours ago. His thoughts turned to Sedrak, the great white dragon, he was ancient, he was the creature who deposited the stone seed into the ocean 600 years ago. The earth he now treads upon grew from his solitary act. This was only the beginning of much wonder, Clal pondered, his quest had only just begun. What would the people think of Sedrak? Clal knew however, that the dragon’s fate will stear him into another direction. After returning the party, he will head for where Morgreth lives. But these were only thoughts to be entertained by curiousoty alone. Curiosity.
As Clal looked around at his companions he noticed that they their faces were down cast as his was. They passed statue after statue, tree after tree, journeying to the other side. There they would meet Sedrak. They were leaving Edaphlas, the elf kingdom where they obtained the first of the f’elements. Now a small globe, as big as Clal’s palm, was held tightly in his hand, silvery blue and alive inside of it, moving and sparlking. The first of the five f’elements that he had been chosen to retrieve to what end he did not understand yet.
Ryth peared forward searching the horizon with his squinting eyes. “Clal,” he began, “do you suppose we can all fit on Sedrak’s scaley back and stay there?”
“I suppose so,” Clal looked down at his hand holding the f’element. “He wouldn’t have mentioned it if he thought we couldn’t.”
Ryth looked around for a moment then looked ahead once more.
With thoughts of wonder about his quest he advanced through the snow with Ryth a few steps ahead of him and the elf twins, Larkin and Skyla, walking behind him. Leara was beside him and Hittle, Clal’s castle sparrow, was perched upon his shoulder. As he surveyed his scene and his companions, he noticed that Hittle flinched. Clal turned around and though nothing of it.
Then Hittle chirped, a chirp that he wasn’t firmiliar with having just been aquanted with the bird for the past month. What was that all about?
As Clal’s pace began to lessen, Larkin spoke, “Wait!” His voice was urgent. “I sense something.” He said.
“And I,” Skyla whispered.
Clal turned around, as he did he caught site of some fallen snow which hit the ground several paces behind him. He looked at Ryth, who shook his head.
Then Leara pointed up to the sky, “Clal, I see a black shadow in the sky. What...” her voice trailed off.
“Yes,” Clal spoke. “There is something…”
“It’s coming closer Clal.” Leara peered at Clal. She was breathing rapidly and her face was going white. “What is it. What is it.”
Clal felt it. He knew what was going to happen next. The moment the f’element was placed in his hand by the elf king, danger seemed an immediate companion. He felt it, but didn’t think it would come so soon, having not even left the levitating ice giant of an island.
Fixed upon the pale blue sky he watched the black figure descend swiftly toward him.
“Clal,” watch out.
Clal shifted his body and threw himself into the snow as a black figure barely missed him. It was a man, wearing silver and black. He passed Clal and slid through the ice and snow, got up, with rage he began to advance toward the group once more.
“He’s got to be part of the RISHK” Clal spoke to himself.
“The RISHK? Here?” Ryth addressed Clal’s faint whisper.
“Yes.” Clal said.
Running faster and faster towards them through the snow. With eyes like flames and lips pulled tight, his foot falls quickened. Black hair flowing, fanning behind him. Clal’s eyebrows dropped as he peered at Ryth in wonder. “How does he know we have it?”
“I don’t know Clal.” Ryth said.
Leara leaned over to Skyla and they embraced. A chill that was only the product of evil set in upon them. The already cold air about them now stung at their skin. While the party looked upon this oncoming form, the black figure turned sharply then leaped into the air with fantastic speed. Shooting into the air. Closer, he flew.
Clal turned his body again to dodge the menace but he was too slow. The figure heavily collided into Clal knocking him to the ground. The icey earth floor shattered beneith them as they slid several feet in a tangle.
The man held him down and began to smash Clal’s face into the snow, again and again.
Immediately the party tore this black figure off of him…The man struggled to fly elevating himself into the air, but the weight of the others held him down.
The man screamed. “Release me.”
Clal searched his garments, feeling for the f’element. To no avail, he could not remember letting go of it. Where was it. Horror struck Clal and he turned to the man. The others were holding him as he struggled violently. He was contained, caught in the grasp of their numbers.