The Seven Seals: Dragon Crusade
Chapter 13: Weariness Within

A gust of biting winds washed over the land, in between the trees, through the clefts and over the mountains. Though it was only mid summer, there was always a chill in the northern winds that even still blew from winter. To the Grendalians and Dwarves, it was no matter. For they had survived harsh winters for hundreds of years and have adapted to its nipping and frosting, like a tamer to a lion. Both races were strong and adequate for the season’s turns and knew what must be done to prepare for such times.

Though something was different now, different from all the other years before. The air was stale, and not humidly warm like any other mid summer. The winds ripped and tore at the hides of the livestock and the tops of mountains. And with such a combination, there was no satisfying warmth and only the wrath of the winds. Something was there, something was coming, and neither Grendalia nor the Dwarves could see it. But the mountains, the western mountains with invisible eyes knew and saw.

The Seals and the wood elves had been traveling for several days, making haste towards the Marnësius Mountains. With the guidance and help of the Ivsaar, they managed to be on their way swiftly. But the journey was tenuous for the Seals. The days were repetitive, not that it hadn’t been this way before; wake up, quickly pack up, travel at a fast pace for however long they could take, and when night fell, a small encampment was made, and the cycle repeated itself.

Though the elves knew who this next Seal was, something was amiss in the air. It was written on their faces after a full week of traveling. No one had bothered to acknowledge the feeling themselves, but they knew that every second they tarried that this feeling would grow. Was it because they knew someone was following? Or maybe the earth’s way of warning them that something was to come?

Earidon explained to the rest of the Seals that what they had been chased by were Obligators and what their intentions were. Of course, that got some uneasy looks from them. So to set everyone’s minds at rest, the other wood elves talked of what it was like over in their lands; lush trees that grew higher and thicker than the ones found in the rest of Tellaria, exotic creatures and delicacies of the sort, and the overall natural beauty of the land.

But all their words had quickly fleeted when the western mountains came into view. The snowcapped tops sat proudly off in the distance and reclined back into the land like an old man awaiting to tell many ancient tales. Their peaks stretched far into the sky and out of sight. Like a legion of warriors, a long line of clouds moved perfectly over the peaks with a dark menace to them. The land below it was perfectly clear of any life aside from the several pines here and there, almost as if it were a straight away path to their destination.

Earidon shaded his eyes with his hand as he looked off at the mountains. “The Marnesius Mountains,” he said as they walked. “Several days journey and we’ll be at its foot.”

“Several days?” Travis complained. “I thought this was almost over.”

Earidon chuckled. “The adventure has yet to begin.”

“We can make it!” Laela exclaimed.

“See, Travis? Even she can take a mountain, and that indeed does say something,” Earidon teased.

“What?” Travis said as a grin spread across his face. “You mean to say she’s stronger than me? Well then I might as well—” he bent down on one knee and looked up to sky in fake wonder, “prove that I am stronger!”

Laela giggled and got the cue from him before hopping on his back to be given a piggyback ride.

Travis quickly held onto her legs and stood up, rushing ahead of the group. Laela laughed along the way, wrapping her arms around his neck to hold on.

“Have I proven myself yet?” Travis asked.

Laela giggled and patted his back. “Yes! You have!” she said, patting his shoulder.

The group laughed and chuckled at their playfulness and cheer.

As Earidon had said, their travel to the mountain took a day or so. With each passing day, the air grew colder and thinner. The land grew sharp and arched, with stones jutting out in the direction they traveled. The sun hid behind a blanket of clouds, which accumulated at their approach. The mountains were close, looming in magnificence. What mysteries lay there in its mass of rock and stone, maybe even the carvings of passages far and wide?

But with such anticipation came anxiety. The silence that bore the land around the mountains made the groups’ worries brew up again. Some supernatural power was at work and warning them of what was to befall them. But who could tell if this was just a simple fear or a true embodiment of evil? All they could do was continue on their way and hope for the best.

Kate trudged on with the group, keeping her gaze on the grass. A gust of wind blew past them, making the fibers of her tunic struggle against the light torrent. Before walking up the foot of the mountain, her and the rest of the group had been provided with more suitable coats to prepare for the deafening cold on the mountain. But even at the very bottom it was chilly. Kate pulled her thick coat closer to her midsection to try to gather some warmth. As she traced over a rock, she glanced over to Kirith who didn’t seem very effected by the wind, but had a troubled look on his face. Something was on his mind, and it wasn’t surprising. Kate walked closer to him and crossed her arms over her chest. “I see I’m not the only one who doesn’t feel something right about this place,” she muttered.

“Doesn’t surprise me,” Kirith replied quietly. “These mountains are known for protecting the wood elves from outsiders. I would expect that they’re treacherous.”

“Probably, but you don’t think…well…”

“What?”

“That there’s something living in there, maybe.”

Kirith glanced to Kate. “If there is, it’s a good thing we’re taking a path that doesn’t go into the mountain,” he said. “The one we’re taking goes on the mountains.”

“Yeah but…don’t you think the elves would tell us anyways?”

Kirith’s gaze drifted lightly. “I’m not sure…” he admitted. “But they seem pretty confident about the path.”

Kate nodded only slightly. “Yeah...right.”

Up ahead, Earidon was discussing something quietly with his male elf companion, Epheldor. He nodded quietly and looked back at the others. “We’re stopping here for the time being! All of us are exhausted and this will guarantee efficiency for when begin the climb!”

The Seals and the elves settled down on a small, elevated rocky plateau, which overlooked some of the land. A small fire was built and a pot a brew stew was made over it. Earidon sat on one of the stones, watching the company as he smoked absentmindedly from his pipe. Everyone was weary, and this wasn’t even the half of it. There on out, things would become tedious and unpredictable, and now with new inexperienced members, things were going to be even more apprehensive. But Earidon would do what he must to ensure their safety. Creator, be with us, he thought as he exhaled a stream of smoke.

Epheldor climbed up onto the rock and sat down next to him, letting out a relaxed sigh. He watched the others with Earidon silently. He turned his head to his elf friend. “These mountains will be far more perilous than before, do you suppose they will be able to handle it?”

Earidon watched as Kirith and Travis began to spar. “That is what I worry most about,” he admitted. “But I have faith that they will pull through. It won’t be easy for them, but they will find their strength.”

“Hm,” Epheldor hummed, “yes, they are the Seals. Destiny wouldn’t allow them to falter at such a challenge as the one we will encounter. They may be just younglings now, but they will learn to understand the dangers that Teannan holds.”

“Indeed,” Earidon replied, letting a puff of smoke escape his lips.

Epheldor looked off to the land that they had left behind. The mood seemed to grow dark at the tone of his voice as he spoke, “But I see something in the distance, something that is dark… I can feel it in the air, in the trees, in the ground beneath our feet.” He gazed back at Earidon with a look of real concern. “Shangorn is on the move.”

Earidon stiffened at the very name. The memories of old came flooding back to him, the dark, the pain, all the wars.

“You understand, you know, Earidon,” Epheldor continued. “He is creating an army far worse than the ones of time long past. It is a great and evil darkness that has enveloped the minds of many in distraught. If we are not ready for such a force, then we are doomed to the shadows.”

“The Obligators are the reason for such fear. They are out there somewhere, watching from afar, spreading their disarray. They will make their move.”

“They are only a fraction of what is to come! Baldoria and Westford have no hope. The hand of the Abyss already has them in his grip. Earidon, we have seen Shangorn at his full strength, but not like this. His actions are quicker than they have been. Who is to say we will ever be ready for his attacks?”

Earidon exhaled a stream of smoke and looked to Epheldor. “The Seals will,” he replied.

Epheldor narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t told them…have you?” he asked in a low voice. “Me’a turya…”

Earidon avoided the elf’s gaze. That was a name he hadn’t heard in a long time. “They will learn, in time,” he replied.

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Kirith lunged forward, swinging his sword multiple times to Travis’ sides. Travis deftly blocked each attack. Finding an opening, he swung his axe to Kirith’s mid section.

Letting out a low-breath grunt, Kirith quickly bent down under the swing and kicked Travis out from beneath his feet. Travis fell on his back, hitting the ground with a thump. He groaned slightly and was just about ready to get back up when Kirith had his sword pointed to his neck.

Kirith grinned at his own small triumph. “Round two?” he said with almost a hint of smug.

“Oh you know it!” Travis said, pushing his blade away and getting right back up. “It’s on, brother!”

“Get him, Travis!” Laela cheered from atop a stone.

Kirith shook his head. “And no cheering for me?”

“Don’t mess up…?” Kate said, sitting down next to Laela.

What? Kirith shook the thought away. He shook the thought away and got back into his usual stance. “On your move,” Kirith said to Travis.

Travis did the same and nodded. He charged forward and swung his axe diagonally towards him. Kirith spun back, just barely missing the attack and blocked Travis’ next attack. Axe and Sword made contact. Travis thrust his weight onto Kirith, pushing him down. Kirith struggled under his weight as his muscles strained. Each second became harder for him to hold up.

Travis’ press became weaker as his attention drifted off elsewhere behind Kirith. “Hey,” he began, “what is that?”

Kirith furrowed his brow. What is he talking about? he thought. “You know if you’re trying to trick me it’s not work!” Kirith spat breathlessly.

Travis let his axe down and grabbed Kirith’s shoulder, turning him in the direction he faced. “Look!”

“Travis what are you—” but he froze when he saw it. Far off, flying in the sky was a black mass. Wings spanned from either side of it, but other features were indistinct from such a distance. Kirith was perplexed. Was it a dragon? Maybe just a bird? “It looks like it’s coming this way,” he said.

“Earidon?” Travis called and pointed to the sky.

Earidon looked towards them puzzled before directing his attention to where Travis pointed. He muttered an indistinct word before shooting up from his position.

“EVERYONE HIDE! NOW!” he ordered.

The elves registered to this warning and immediately began to pack their things.

Kirith and the others looked around confused. What was going on? Why were they hiding from this thing? “Earidon, what’s is it?!” Kirith questioned.

Earidon met his gaze with a furious look. “There’s no time to explain! Just do as I say!”

And everyone got the command. Water was thrown over the cooking fire. Items were hastily packed up as everyone tried to make the area clear. Kirith quickly slid into a small concave under a rock and lay still on his stomach. Kate came rushing towards the spot where Kirith was, shock in her eyes.

“Kate, come on!” Kirith whispered loudly.

She slid right under as she tried to catch her breath. She licked her lips and met Kirith’s gaze. Her look said it all, and he could only look back her with an equally as anxious and confused look. From across them, Kirith could see Travis and Laela hiding beneath another rock. They were tense and still, looking towards the outside.

A large shadow passed over them a deep roar resonated over the rocks and caused the pebbles to quake. A gust of dirt and dust blew across the earth as the mysterious creature flew above them.

Kirith scooted a bit forward and bent lower to look at the sky. He could just barely catch a glimpse of the black draconic winged creature. For a second, he caught sight of a rider on its back, wearing a cloak equally as black as the beast. An Obligator? Kirith thought. The creature flew out of his sight. He furrowed his brow and looked to Kate. “Kate, there’s a rider on that thing,” he whispered. “I think it’s—”

There was a thunderous shake on the rock above them. The sound of heavy, grotesque breathing came from outside and seemed to get closer. The creature’s head became visible outside of the concave as it sniffed and snarled. Deep red eyes sat in its mass of ebony skin. It sniffed the earth, seemingly trying to find a specific scent.

The rock Kirith and Kate hid beneath began to close in on the two. Kate made a small yelp at its very movement but quickly covered her mouth. The beast’s gaze zipped in the their direction, but didn’t quite look at them. The two of them stayed dead still.

Kirith felt his heart thump in his chest repeatedly as he stared at the beast’s red eye. What was this thing? It looked like no dragon he had ever seen before. Was it a dragon at all?

The creature lifted its head up and out of view. The rock shook again as air kicked up in a whirlwind. The creature had launched off of the stone and into the sky, letting out another ear splitting shriek. The sound of its flapping wings began to fade off into the distance.

Kirith felt his muscles begin to relax. Was it gone now? It seemed so. Kirith looked to Kate and motioned with his head towards the outside of the rock. Kate nodded in return.

Climbing out from beneath the rock, Kirith approached Earidon, who moved out of his hiding spot as he trained his eyes on the creature flying off. “What was that?!?” he asked.

Earidon met the gaze of many of the others who looked at him for some kind of an answer. He sighed and tried to straighten himself. “Avsnegal,” Earidon replied, “children of the Creator who have fallen from grace. They are equal to darkness and brethren of the Abyss. Its rider? An Obligator I would assume.”

Kirith followed Earidon’s gaze up to the Avsnegal flying off. It was no surprise that one of Obligators was still searching for them. But on an Avsnegal? Kirith tried to imagine them going up against such a beast, but every outcome didn’t end well.

“We make haste for the mountains now!” Earidon announced. “Rest is no longer an option until we find a place that is secure.

Everyone went about gathering their things meekly and with haste on their minds. After everyone had assembled, they began their journey up the mountain, but the Avsnegal watched from afar and knew.

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