Master's Mind (The Dagger of Dragon Rose Book 1)
Detour

I told you not to go there - Shaunna Nightshade

When Shaunna and Hope awoke the next morning, they found Taren already awake. He was sitting on a large rock at the foot of the path that led into the mountains. It looked as if he had been sitting there for quite a while. His hair and clothes were damp from the mist that came off the mountain path making him shiver from the cold.

“Taren, are you not well?” It was Shaunna’s voice that penetrated the haze that hung over his thoughts.

“Do you know where Salanna is?” He hadn’t meant to ask the question aloud.

Shaunna raised one eyebrow. “What’s in Salanna?”

Taren shook his head. “Do you know where it is? I don’t know anything about it.”

“Where did you hear about that accursed city?” An edge of danger crept into her voice. “The city is thought to have been destroyed long ago.”

Taren was bewildered by Shaunna’s reaction to his question. He had not heard of the city before he had read of it in his father’s journal. He knew nothing about it, except that his mother originated from there. “My mother is from there.”

Shaunna and Hope both gasped.

“H... How do you know that?” Shaunna asked

Taren smiled as he began to speak. “When I fell into that hole in my father’s castle ruins, I found a book. It turned out to be a diary. My father’s diary.” He paused just a moment, replaceing it difficult to continue. “I read that just before I got attacked by those ogres.”

“There must be some mistake. There’s no way that Ahlana could have come from Salanna. They worship the dark lords there.” Shaunna was immediately sorry that she had spoken of the city in the present tense.

“It does still exist, and you know where it is, don’t you?”

“Every dark elf knows where it is. We built the city, several millennia ago.” She explained.

“I want to go.” Taren stood. “Can you take me?”

“No, I will not take you. They would kill us all before we could even get close to the city,” Shaunna said in a voice of finality.

“Fine. Then tell me where it is, so I can go myself.”

Seeing that Taren was not going to relent, Shaunna acquiesced. “Fine,” She sighed. “But why do you want to go so badly?”

“I need to learn about my parents,” he explained. “I never knew them. I learned a bit from my dad’s diary, before it was destroyed. Now I want to learn more about my mother. The only clue I have is the last passage I read, that said she was the daughter of the Salanna Prime Minister.”

Shaunna’s face grew darker as she listened. She didn’t like this one bit. She had never been to Salanna, even though she knew where it was, and for good reason. It was said that the inhabitants of the dark city held a greater hatred toward the Dark Elves, and their treachery to the Dark Lords, than the rest of the world did. She was sure that she would die as soon as she entered the city.

“Legend has it that the city was built not far from the lair of the Dark Lords’ s greatest supporter.” Taren began to speak, but she quickly silenced him with a wave of her hand. “They can only mean the Mother Dragon. A little way up that path,” she gestured to the path leading up to the mountains, “we will replace a path leading southeast. A day’s march will bring us to Salanna.” She considered Taren in silence a moment. “I strongly recommend we do not do this. It can only end badly.”

“I have to. I need to learn who my parents were. I need to learn what made them such great leaders.” Taren was scared, and the other two could tell as he spoke.

Shaunna walked up to Taren, throwing her arms around him. “I’ll get you there.”

They started up the pathway, Shaunna leading, Taren in the middle, and Hope bringing up the rear. They walked for about one hundred yards when they found a small path leading away from the main path, just as Shaunna had said they would. Turning onto the smaller path, they continued toward the unknown that awaited them.

They traveled until midday, when they stopped to enjoy a short rest and a lunch of dried bread and cheese. When they were finished eating, they continued on at a leisurely pace.

The landscape through which they were traveling was green and lush, yet somehow uninviting. Thick green foliage grew under the canopy of tall trees that formed the mountainside forest. The view was breathtaking, but the completeness of the silence was nerve wracking. No insect chirped, no birdsong broke the afternoon silence. Even their footfalls made no sound in the thick foliage that had grown over the path in its disuse.

They walked without speaking, afraid to break the oppressive silence that surrounded them. They were in unfamiliar territory now, and they didn’t know what to expect. The uncertainty affected Shaunna the most. She had been the one that had known what to expect throughout the whole journey, but she had no idea what kind of changes may have occurred in the centuries since the Dark Elves had betrayed the Dark Lords and entered into their self imposed exile.

The sun was just beginning to set when they rounded the bend, and the valley came into sight. Steep slopes created a bowl in which surrounded a large city on all sides. The walls of the valley looked to be made of some kind of dull black stone. No trees dotted the walls of the bowl at all. The black stone of the valley was a contrast to the city that was nestled in the center of the bowl. Ten great white spires reached toward the sky, looking like fingers ready to snatch unwary travelers and drag them into the great abyss. The last rays of the sun glinted wickedly off the tops of all ten towers.

“Lets rest here tonight. We can go the rest of the way in the morning.” Shaunna’s voice shook as she spoke.

Taren nodded. “Good idea.”

Hope just stood in stoic silence as he had done all along.

They retreated back into the trees a ways before replaceing a clearing where they could build a fire without it being seen from the city below. It didn’t take them long to get the clearing suitable for a campsite, and have a fire blazing in the fire pit. Dinner was a cheerless affair consisting of the same food that they had been eating since they left the dark elf village. As they were eating, the night mist began to fall on them, causing them to huddle closer to the fire’s warmth.

“Erik, you are going to need to keep an extra tight watch tonight.” Shaunna had pulled out the small crossbow that she carried.

A white light pulsed in the diamond that was Erik’s heart stone, then the weapon rose into the air, and began to circle the area. After a few minutes, the crossbow was joined by the large sword that was Maxximillian Crystal Blade. The two weapons took up a circular pattern opposite each other across camp.

The three companions rolled themselves into their bedrolls and fell asleep.

“Taren, wake up.” Hope was shaking him gently as he spoke.

“Wass goin’ on?“Taren slurred.

“There is a group approaching, and their intentions are not friendly.” Hope’s voice was quiet, and Taren was still mostly asleep, so he almost missed what Hope said.

“Wha?” Taren was instantly awake as the information sunk in.

“They will be here soon.” Hope tossed Taren’s pack to its owner. “Arm yourself.”

Taren tied his pouch to his belt and removed the smooth crystal from its pocket. He closed his fist around the cylindrical object, willing it to stay dormant. He then wrapped himself back in his bedroll, and waited for the attackers to emerge.

He didn’t have to wait long. He watched as the first of the would-be enemies emerged from the trees, coming from the direction of the valley. Ten more followed as they made their way into the clearing. The leader of the group made his way towards Taren’s bed first, a wicked looking dagger glinting in the firelight.

Taren waited till the stalker was within striking distance before rising, activating his sword, and striking. As if he were mere paper the sword cleaved the enemy in two. When the other attackers saw the light from the sword and the remains of the leader they disappeared back into the woods.

“Is everyone okay?” Taren called out.

“Taren, they’ve taken Hope.” Shaunna answered back.

“Let’s go, I have lost too many friends to this quest, I will not lose Hope.” Taren kept his sword lit as he headed for the path that would lead him to the city of Salanna.

Shaunna followed without comment. She had seen him like this before, so she knew that there would be no reasoning with him.

They reached the edge of the valley without incident. There were no shadows moving in the light of the double moons.

“Our attackers must have had mounts, and they are in the city by now.” Taren reasoned, trying not to voice the fact that he was now agreeing with Shaunna’s assessment of coming here.

Shaunna just stayed silent.

By the light of the Sword of Star Fire and the light of the moons, they made their way down the side of the valley wall toward the city. As they got closer, the city became even more impressive. The white stone that comprised most of the walls seemed to glow brightly in the lesser light of the night. The ten spires seemed to sway in a non-existent wind, giving them an even more sinister look up close.

It was almost dawn when they reached the gates to the city. They found it extremely odd that there were no guards at all on the ramparts or at the gate. In fact, there didn’t seem to be any guards in the whole city, a fact they noticed after walking freely through the streets for several hours.

The city was even more impressive from the inside than it had been from without. All of the buildings were constructed from the same white stone. Thousands of simple stone huts surrounded a large building in the center. The smaller buildings were identical. The large building was extravagant. The walls were set with gold inlays that depicted many of the stories that Taren had heard Shaunna relate the night she had told them all what they were up against.

“That is the Dark Lords’ temple,” Shaunna explained.

“We should go there first.” Taren began to move in that direction, but Shaunna stopped him.

“Don’t you think it’s odd that the city is empty?” Shaunna asked. “These buildings are not in ruins, so there must be people around here somewhere.”

Taren nodded. “We’ll probably replace someone at the temple.”

“Do we really want to replace someone?” Shaunna asked.

Taren couldn’t admit that he was beginning to feel the same way, but he reminded himself that they needed to replace Hope. “We need to get help. Hope is depending on us.”

Shaunna stepped aside, gesturing with one arm. “Lead the way, Your Majesty.” The mocking tone in her voice told Taren that she blamed him for all of this.

He brushed passed her without a word.

A very old elf was standing outside the temple when they reached the doors. A strange light came into his eyes when he saw Taren.

“You have the look of your father, boy.” The statement was unexpected. “You have my daughter’s eyes.”

“Who are you?” It was Shaunna who voiced the question.

The elderly creature performed a nimble bow. “I am Terryl Nothra, Prime Minister of Salanna.” He paused a moment, then continued. “I am the young kinglet’s grandfather. Ahlana was my daughter.”

Taren was skeptical of the old man.“How do you know I am who you think I am?”

A smile split the old wrinkled face. “There is no mistaking you are the son of Paron Elloy. You look so much like him that I almost believed he had come back from the dead, until I looked into your eyes. You have the eyes of the high priestess, my daughter.”

“The what?” Taren and Shaunna exclaimed in unison.”

Terryl gestured to the bench situated next to the archway. “Sit down, and I will tell you of the mother you never knew.” A haunted look came into the old eyes, making him look even older.

Taren was about to object, but Shaunna laid her hand on his arm to quiet him. The two took the offered places on the bench.

Terryl took the seat next to Taren. He sat in silence for several minutes, as if trying to decide where to start. He finally closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. “You have much in common with your mother, Taren.”

Taren flinched at hearing his name. Terryl didn’t notice.

“My beloved wife was taken from me on the day she came into this world. Sometimes it is a great curse being so long lived.” He paused again, shaking his head slightly. “I did my best to raise her, but it is not easy being the father to such a talented youngster. She began to demonstrate uncanny ability at a very young age, and I knew that she would be the High Priestess of the temple. It is extremely rare that a woman takes on the role of High Priest. In fact your mother is only the second in the history of this city. I was very proud, and a little scared. It has happened more than once that the temple High Priest has ended up murdered in his bed, especially if someone didn’t like what the temple was teaching.

“She grew into a beautiful young woman, and she took her place as the High Priestess at a very young age. She was well-loved by the people and was the greatest teacher I have ever seen come out of the temple. She was perfect.

“Then one day, a light elf made his way into the city to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage. I agreed, hoping she would be able to draw him to the side of darkness, for this wasn’t just any light elf. It was the champion of the light side, Paron Elloy. I thought he would make a great ally to the Dark Lords.

“There was one thing I didn’t take into account, however. I didn’t think she would really fall in love with him. Love is a strong force, stronger than either the light or the darkness some say. After she fell in love with Paron, she came back to the city and abdicated her position as High Priestess. The Dark Lords were not happy that they lost their greatest Priestess in history, and they cursed me with immortality, and it is a great curse.

“She helped Paron champion the cause of the balance, even though she was raised to follow the darkness.” He fell into a deep silence, indicating that he was finished speaking.

Taren was ecstatic. He had found exactly what he had come to replace, and more. He had come hoping to replace information about his mother. He found his grandfather. He was so happy that he almost forgot why they had come rushing into the city.

“Grandfather, one of my companions was taken from our camp last night. Do you know where we might replace him?”

Terryl’s gaze dropped to the floor. “They never used to attack anybody out of the valley. Not before the anarchists came.”

“Anarchists?” Shaunna asked.

For the first time the old man’s gaze fell upon the elf woman. “You have dark elf blood in you.” There was no question in the statement. “It is tainted, however.” Shaunna’s cheeks became crimson patches. “Yes, the anarchists, those who once served the light but have fallen into the darkness.”

“G...” Shaunna hesitated.” Grandfather, who are these anarchists of whom you speak?”

Terryl looked at her in amusement. “Can you not guess, daughter of darkness? Those who were affected by the alien virus, then vanished.”

Taren was completely confused, but the light of understanding ignited in Shaunna’s eyes. “The Crystal Blades!”

Terryl nodded. “Yes, but they do not call themselves such any longer. They are now known as the Dark Blades. They came to the city and corrupted the teachings. Everyone believed them, except for me. That is why I am the last in the city.”

“Where would they have taken him?” Taren asked.

“They haven’t paid proper tribute to the Mother Dragon in a long while. They will probably use him for such a purpose. They will be keeping him in the Under Fortress.”

“The Under Fortress?” both Shaunna and Taren asked together.

“Yes. When the others left the city, they constructed a large subterranean fortress in the walls of the valley.” Terryl gestured all around. “There is an entrance back the way you came.”

“Can you show us, grandfather?” Taren asked.

“No, child, they would not let me get near.” A look of sadness appeared in the old elf’s eyes. “Since the Dark Lords cut me off, I am no longer accepted here. I only stay because I have no other way of life.”

Taren felt bad for his grandfather, but there was nothing he could do for the old man. Hope was in trouble, and he couldn’t afford to be distracted any longer.

“I thank you, but I do need to get going. My friend is in trouble,” Taren said.

“Be safe Taren, for you are all I have left of my beloved daughter.” Terryl gently hugged Taren and then Taren turned to leave.

“I’ll be safe, grandfather,” Taren said. “We will see each other again.”