Black Dawn - Chapter 8: Closing In

While they flee from the Dark Knights, the rangers of Ys are aided by Turim’s allies from the deck of The Cloudracer as the Dark Elves close in.

Armageddon TM and its characters and story are copyright Terry Tibke. All rights reserved.

Music & SFX

[Dark Shadows] by David Fesliyan, [Orchestral Conflict] by Dennix, [Dark Illusions Intro] by X,  [Buzzkiller] by Alexander Nakarada, [The Wandering King] by Alexander Nakarada, [Final Boss] by Myuu, 

footsteps - gravel 01.wav by Anthousai, Soft Wind by florianreichelt, Ambient(light wind).WAV by o_ciz, R15-70-Males Shouting.wav by craigsmith, Kicking/Forcing/Breaking Wooden Door by qubodup, 01267 stick wood break 2.wav by Robinhood76, Baby dragon sounds.mp3 by SonzaW, hamp rope creaks by 6polnic, BODY FALL - V HVY - DIRT by leonelmail, Hilt clang!.wav by ethanchase7744, Anime Sound Effect - Piercing impact / Stabbing by Breviceps, Shaking a bush.wav by BerduSmith, Vatsa kurisee, running in fall forest.mp3 by Taira Komori, Ambience_Cave_00.wav by LittleRobotSoundFactory, Horse Whinny, Close, A.wav by InspectorJ, G48-18-Steam Train Vents Steam.wav by craigsmith

Jake Utter [Voice Actor] - Voices Turim Gliderlance

Andrew Embers [Voice Actor] - Voices Sand Rocketblade

Demetrius Hazel [Voice Actor] - Voices Lasertooth

Kobe Markworth [Voice Actor] - Voices Thunderclap and Gulanis

Sean Valley [Voice Actor] - Voices Strevan Pickaxe and Dithkanir

Hayley Craig [Voice Actress] - Voices Jaffrine Maplebow

Morgana LeFaye [Voice Actress]- Voices Tartara Silverwing

Tallent [Voice Actor] - Voices General Panthis Obsidianfist 

JJtheJetvox [Voice Actor] - Voices Meineken Shadowstar

Brittanie Arwen [Voice Actor] - Voices Sinfa Songbird

The Worlds Okayest DM [Voice Actor] - Voices Pond Grimslug

Ben Habel [Voice Actor] – Voices Lakalith Paledust

Maia Harlap [Voice Actor] – Voices Kithria Wraithchasm

Aaron Anderson [Voice Actor] – Dark Elf

Transcript

Chapter 1—Closing In

Lakalith Paledust turned angrily, staring at the tunnel entrance. A shaft of light poured down through the dusty haze. It was much cooler and more comfortable in the tunnel, and far safer than remaining above ground; the unknown protectors of the forest might spot them there. Unfortunately, he had to deal with the witch.

“Have Dithkanir and his assassins returned with the head of the ninja?” he asked in the dark elven tongue. “What were Evildrath’s orders if this happened, witch?”

The raptor beneath him seemed to be getting hungry. It was squirming, pulling at the reins every few moments. Before long, Lakalith would have to take his riders out to hunt some of the local prey.

Lakilith’s tunnel raptor riders were some of the best raiders in Evildrath’s band. Evildrath had sent his dark elves to the island with the witch, and Dithkanir and his assassins. Lakalith was there for backup in case anything went wrong, or the area proved to be too dangerous. So far, several of the others had turned up in the woods dead with arrows in them. Dithkanir and the other assassins had disappeared, and things had definitely begun to go wrong.

Kithria leaned on her skull-carved staff, eyeing him from beneath her white wisps of hair. “I don’t want to know what Evildrath will do to you if we fail, Lakalith. There were no instructions for failure!” She licked her soft lips and seemed to be considering her orders. “Far too much time has passed. Take your riders out and see if you can uncover the whereabouts of Dithkanir’s assassins. As always, keep yourselves well hidden and quiet. And, if you do see anyone, ensure they cannot tell the tale of wandering Thalui.”

Lakalith motioned to his riders. With eager zeal, they followed quickly behind, out into the Ysian forest—running, springing over fallen trees, and tearing through bramble. Their mail covered their legs to protect them and the raptors’ hides were thick as shale. Neither thorn nor sharp rock hindered them.

Lakalith watched the area before him with a keen eye. The raptors could easily take off at the sight of prey, and then it was difficult to get them on track again until they’d devoured whatever they hunted. Wretched, sniveling creatures were present wherever they went. He couldn’t afford to waste time. 

At last, they found Robyn’s Road. Signs of travelers came through the thick wood from the west, joining up with the road itself. Further up the lane, they spotted more footprints that went toward Centerland. The rest of the road was still bare this far out from the city, save for hoof prints and wagon ruts.

With no other tracks to work with, Lakalith ordered his riders to split into two groups.

“Lieutenant. Follow the trail toward the city, but don’t approach it,” he ordered. “I don’t want any disturbances from the Ysians. If you see any sign of the ninja or Dithkanir’s assassins, you know what to do. If you find nothing, return to the tunnels before dark.”

His Lieutenant nodded and signaled several others to follow him north.

Then Lakalith turned and drove his mount westward into the deep of the wood with several of his riders behind him.

Nearly an hour passed while he and his kin searched through the wood before they came to a hint of any real scent. It continued to lead away from the city, back southwestward. They didn’t stop to rest; the raptors bore them with little effort. They eventually broke from the wood into a clearing where a large wooden cabin sat with smoke wafting from its chimney.

The day had drawn to its midpoint. Lakilith’s riders dismounted their raptors and drank from their flasks. They tied their creatures as best they could to a great round birch tree at the edge of the clearing. Daylight was discomforting to the dark elven eyes and skin, and at that moment, Lakalith cursed Kithria for sending them out. Still, he decided they’d best make a plan to scour the entire area.

“Spread out in all directions. Search about for whatever can be found. You, come with me.” His minions spiraled away, and Lakalith turned to the remaining dark elf. “We’ll explore the structure. There may be occupants—a fire still burns there.”

“I can smell the smoke,” said the dark elf. “I seriously hope our prey is inside. I haven’t spilled any blood in days. My hands ache for it.”

Lakalith came to the door, his rider just behind him. It was thick and sturdy, but Lakalith burst the lock and hinge with a crash. Inside, the final embers burned in the fireplace, casting a gentle glow against the walls of the cabin.

But no one was there.

Lakalith checked the other rooms, his dark blade drawn. He was ready for whatever might lurk in wooden houses.

It was empty. Lakilith’s temper flared. Things were not proceeding as planned and it seemed their own assassins were the weak link in the great plans of the Dragon Army.

“Where has the ninja gone?” he asked himself aloud. “And where in the name of all that dwells beneath has Dithkanir gotten off to?!”

“Lakalith, they’ve found something,” the dark elf standing at the door called.

Lakalith kicked embers across the floor from the fireplace and the pair left the cabin, marching into the bright sun once more. He held his hand above his eyes, trying to ignore the spots.

Several of the others had approached the cabin now, and one of them held an arrow fletched with dark, emerald green feathers.

“Sir,” said another rider. “We’ve discovered the bodies of Gulanis and Uthik a short way into the wood. Shafts in them, the same as those hailing from the unknown woodsmen.”

Lakalith ground his teeth in utter shock. “What’s happened here?! Damn all that walks the surface!” Turning, he threw one of his daggers into a nearby tree.

Things were definitely not going as planned. No, in fact, they were going horribly wrong. Who could’ve possibly defeated Dithkanir’s assassins? We’re dealing with more than we’ve bargained for, he realized.

It wasn’t long before Dithkanir was discovered in the woods, as well as three others who’d snuck off. Lakalith felt little at the loss of these three. They’d always been thorns in his side—murdering, thieving thugs who rarely obeyed orders. Yet it was still a loss.

When the bodies had been recovered and buried, the dark elves mounted up and departed. Lakalith could smell the smoke wafting out from inside the cabin now, more heavy and thick than before. He felt a small amount of soothing pleasure as he caught the scent of the burning cabin. But nothing could ease the hatred he was feeling inside for whoever had done this to his kin.

As they reached Robyn’s Road, there was no sign of his Lieutenant’s riders yet. They were probably near Centerland by now. Perhaps he’d bring back more news of what had happened.

In any case, it was time to return to Kithria and decide their next course of action. If there were no assassins left to kill the ninja, then their turn had come. They’d have to make an all out attack against him. As Kithria had said: there were no instructions for failure.

* * *

“Strevan, look!” Tartara called back.

They’d quickly departed The Mint Hippogriff and its unwelcome company. Below and behind her, Strevan and Jaffrine ran as fast as their legs could carry them on the ground. Tartara knew how much Strevan hated all out sprints. Despite his great skill with the bow and his many other gifts, Strevan was rather on the husky side. He lagged behind Jafrrine by several paces.

A squad of Dark Knights, twelve of them, barreled around the corner of the pub in pursuit of the trio. Several of the knights mounted black, armor-clad steeds that stood at the trough outside. Others just kept coming on foot.

Tartara slowed and came up near Strevan and Jaffrine’s ears. Seeing the Dark Knight cavalry gave her an idea. “Make for Filupe’s stables!”

She darted down a side street, heading for a pen of horses outside a large, brown building. Running as fleet as their legs allowed, her friends followed. Across another side street, they approached the Centerland Stables.

Tartara darted into the corral and heard Strevan huffing behind. He hurled his bulk over the fence as Jaffrine valuted over in a swirl of green robes. Tartara snickered, but cut it short with a gasp. The Dark Knights weren’t far behind and the gap between them reduced quickly.

Tartara was familiar with most of the inhabitants of Centerland. They often came there to gather supplies they couldn’t find in the forest, or stopped by The Mint Hippogriff for a drink. Filupe Goodfolk was as wealthy as anyone on the island, and his stables kept some of the finest horses one might ever see. She could outfly these Dark Knights and disappear easily enough, but Filupe was going to do a favor for Strevan and Jaffrine today—though he wouldn’t realize it for a while.

Jaffrine leapt to the back of one of the horses, swift as a bird. “Old Filupe will not be happy, Tartara.”

“He’s going to lay a brick is what he’ll do,” huffed Strevan. Leather creaked as he swung his leg up on one of the only horses that had been saddled. “So is whoever was going to pick this one up today.” He patted the steed’s neck.

Tartara smiled. “Serves him right. No worries though, we’ll send ‘em back!” Then she darted over the opposite gate.

* * *

Rising into the air on The Cloudracer, Turim felt strangely at home again. At the same time though, he felt a physical uneasiness. The ship swayed and jerked in a horribly unnerving way. His stomach wobbled, but he set his jaw and grasped the railing along the port side of the deck. He missed Thunderclap.

Toward the ship’s stern stood Meineken, completely undaunted by the machine they flew upon. He also showed no concern at the heights they were steadily climbing toward. In fact, Meineken gazed at a strange weapon at the edge of the deck. It looked like a crossbow, but on a greater scale, and stood atop a mounting that swiveled. Had she made that too?

“Sinfa, what’s this manner of weapon?” he asked.

“Ah. That’s a device better than the dwarves’ cannons,” she explained. “I call them: bowguns. Some people call them ballistae.” However, at that moment she was clearly more concerned with piloting the airship.

She held the wheel tightly, occasionally pulling at several levers around it. When the ship began to move smoother as they reached the low clouds, she eased her grip and spoke again. “Cannons are far too difficult to aim at airborne targets, unless they move slowly. The bowgun fires bolts twice your size, kithkin. Black powder is also costly. And to tell you the truth, I don’t much like the way it smells.” She twitched her nose.

Meineken seemed to be satisfied with that answer. He approached and leaned on the ship’s railing next to Turim. Below they could see Centerland, fading away, swallowed by the blanket of forest.

“I did not think we’d make it off the island so soon,” said Meineken. “But I’m glad we have. I hope the other Masters are okay.”

Turim couldn’t blame him. Meineken had lost his kinsmen there, and the island seemed full of evil and hateful enemies. What had happened to this place since his visit so long ago with Sand? “Other Masters?” he asked. “What other Masters? Of the Black Talon?”

“We are four…” Meineken paused, then pointed over the edge. “The Dark Knights go swiftly along Robyn’s Road. I wonder if they’re after us.”

He was probably right, but Turim began to monitor them anyway. It was difficult to spy the lane through the trees, but maybe he could see where they went. He still didn’t know exactly where they’d come from. However, as he cast his eyes further down the way, he saw what he feared most. His breath caught.

Riding far ahead of the Dark Knight pursuers, were the three rangers.

“Oh no,” he said. “They’re after the rangers! Come on, we have to help.” He whirled, shouting out to Sinfa. “Please! Take us down to the treetops. The rangers are in trouble. Can we make use of your contraptions?”

Sinfa looked over her shoulder, her face annoyed. “If you take care of your words in the future and don’t refer to my machines as ‘contraptions’, then fine.”

“My apologies.” Turim smiled at how touchy she was about her inventions. “I give you my vow!”

He and Meineken ran for the bowguns, going to opposite sides of the airship. While they both tested their thoughts on how the machines might function, Sinfa worked her levers quickly. The Cloudracer began a slow descent.

“Commander Gliderlance!” called Meineken, gripping the bowgun. “Can you see what’s there, beyond the rangers? I see figures, but I can’t tell if they’re friend or foe. They’re too far off.”

Turim looked as far as his eyes could see. Between the scattered branches, he discerned three large mounts. They had riders on their backs. Straining, his focus cleared, and he saw a dreadful thing.

“Beasts, the likes of which I’ve never seen!” he shouted.

Meineken leaned over the rail—dangerously far. He was trying to see better, apparently. “Tunnel Raptors! The dark elves’ mounts! I’ve seen them on the Plains of Sirik back home. They’re vicious!”

“That’s not all,” said Turim. Wide, deep trenches scarred the road. They’d obviously been put there to block someone’s progress.

Time was of the essence, and there wasn’t much of it to spare. The raptors looked like more than a match for unwary riders, and he didn’t want to think about what the Dark Knights would do to them if they caught them.

“Sinfa!” he yelled to her again. “The Dark Knights behind them aren’t nearly as bad as what’s in front of them; dark elves on raptors block the road. We have to take them down before they reach the rangers!”

“Knight, you try my patience!” she called back over the low whirring of the airship’s propellers. “Will you make a plan and keep its course?” For a second she didn’t say anything. Turim wondered if she wasn’t going to do what he’d asked. Then she shouted, “Make your shots true by leading your target. The speed of this ship will stray the bolt if you don’t. I’ll come at them as straight as The Cloudracer will let me.”

* * *

“There are Dark Knights on our island!” Jaffrine called as she rode.

Tartara didn’t think it was the time to discuss it. “Yes!” she shouted. “Ride harder! We’re pulling away from them!”

“Maybe they got off in Pelth?” suggested Strevan. Tartara barely heard him.

She looked up to see the darkness looming over her. The airship came in fast above the trees. With some curiosity, and some fear, she left her two companions and flew to its bow, hoping to see what lay upon its deck. She had only one idea who it might be. She’d never seen another flying ship. No one had.

When she saw Sinfa, and that she had Turim with her, she was relieved. She flew to Turim and gave him a great hug around his arm. Why’d he have to be so big?

“You’re safe!” she cried aloud. Then she flew over to Sinfa. “And it’s good to see you’re in action again!”

Sinfa’s eyes remained fixed on her flight. “I’ve been looking for opportunity’s window,” she returned sharply. “These two came to the pub needing travel overseas, and it seems my airship will be of use! And don’t talk to me about ‘taking action’! I’ve done my share!”

Sinfa seemed a little touchy at that. Tartara still smiled, glad she was there, and glad The Cloudracer was out again.

 “It seems we’re witness to a reunion of old friends,” Turim grinned at another darkly clad fellow, significantly shorter.

Tartara beamed at Turim again, fluttering up to him. When his smile fell, she asked, “What’s wrong?” 

“The Dark Kn—” he began, but Tartara cut him off.

“Aw! We’ll escape these Dark Knights. All the rangers on the island are skilled horsemen. Don’t worry about that.”

But Turim didn’t look appeased. “What’s bothering you?” she asked.“ It’s something else.” 

Turim folded his arms. “Along the road are dark elves and raptors, from the tunnels beneath the earth—or so my new friend, Master Shadowstar has told me.” He indicated Meineken on the other side of the ship. “They’ve made a stop to your journey in the road ahead. You need to tell Strevan and Jaffrine. Tell them to make a stand against the Dragon Army until we can dispose of the raptors ourselves. We’ll try to help you after that.”

Tartara nodded, admiring Turim’s quick thinking. With understanding and determination, she drew her thorn daggers.

“Thank you for your help in the pub, my little friend,” said Turim. “It’s our turn to return the favor—if we can.”

“Tit for tat I guess,” said Tartara. “Stay safe!” Then she darted overboard, racing through the air towards her two companions.

Below, on the road, the gap between the cavalry and the fleeing rangers had shrunk while she was away. Still, a gap remained, and that was a relief.

With the wind in her face, she came up beside Jaffrine and Strevan, telling them about their peril.

“But we can’t ride through the wood!” said Jaffrine, her forehead wet with perspiration. “We wouldn’t get far. It’s too thick and full of bramble in this part. And who is it that told you all this? Who’s up there?” She was breathing heavily as she rode, and Tartara’s news had clearly troubled her.

“It’s Sinfa Songbird,” explained Tartara quickly.

“Well, of course. But who else?”

“Turim, the knight we met a few days ago by Dwellinghearth, and in the pub, he’s with her. There’s also a kithkin. They’ve seen up ahead. There are dark elves on tunnel raptors waiting for us.

“The three of us alone can’t stop them, not with the Dark Knights approaching from the rear,” she continued. “We have to halt and make a stand while Sinfa and the others deal with the dark elves!” After her explanation, she was breathing fast now.

Tartara knew that Strevan had silently taken a liking to Turim. After they’d left him a few nights before, all Strevan talked about was how Turim had jumped in front of him, deflecting the dark elf’s sword. It had reminded him of an elf he’d once been friends with.

She looked over to see him taking a deep breath. That usually meant he was gathering his courage.

“If Turim says so, then so it is. Let’s dismount then and prepare for a fight!” shouted Strevan. Slowing his horse, he raised his hand to the longbow on his back, then swung down from his steed.

* * *

Above, the strings of the bowguns grew taught as Turim and Meineken turned the great weapons’ cranks. They loaded the bowguns with long bolts they’d found stored in wooden boxes fixed at the side of each weapon.

The Cloudracer sped forward faster now, its wood creaking and shaking with vibrations. Turim was nervous. The shuddering kept up, but he put thoughts of crashing to the trees aside for the moment.

His target drew within sight.

“I’ll take the raptor on the right!” he said. “You have the left, Master Shadowstar!”

Without words, the ninja fired off his first bolt.

Its aim was true; the shot found its mark in the creature! The airship roared above the remaining dark elf riders.

Turim let his bolt fly and it also struck home, impaling the foul elf, and pinned both he and his mount to the ground with great force and untamed speed.

It was only moments before The Cloudracer flew out of range again, forcing Turim and Meineken to reload and wait. The ship shuddered and hummed as it sped forward.

“Sinfa, turn the airship!” shouted Turim, aggravated at its lack of maneuverability. He’d take Thunderclap over it any day. “Faster! The raptor is heading for the rangers. We might not be able to reach them!”

“I’m doing my best!” she replied, waving her arm at him. “But an airship can’t come about any faster than a sea ship, Commander! You’ll have to wait!”

* * *

Back on the ground, Strevan and Jaffrine sent the horses back toward the village. Tartara chewed on the tip of her thorn dagger, nervously preparing for the Dark Knights’ attack. She was having a hard time keeping still.

On either side of them were high hedges of sharp bramble. Beyond them, great oaks bent their long branches over the road, reaching for one another as though it had cruelly separated them. It wouldn’t be more than a few minutes before the soldiers rounded the bend.

Strevan stood several arrows in the earth around him for easy plucking and firing, while Jaffrine sat cross-legged in the lane.

Tartara kept circling around the pair, waiting for the Dark Knights to come into view. Hiding in the bramble would only get rid of the small advantage they had against them. The ominous thundering of hooves marked the knights’ approach.

Tartara watched Strevan take aim. His first shot hit its mark, his powerful longbow sending the arrow straight through the chest of the Dark Knight. It knocked him from his mount, dead. Another found home in the shoulder niche of the next rider, felling him. But onward they came, unyielding to a few simple rangers and the loss of but two of their own warriors.

Tartara sniffed and looked down as Jaffrine completed her mutterings, burning a small piece of pitch. The druid raised her arm and dropped three leaves: one of maple, one of oak and one of the elven ehalir tree. As each fell, the forest seemed to shiver its leaves and branches.

Tartara swallowed, wondering what was about to happen. The riders drew closer. The wind itself grew still. Suddenly the air filled with thick pollen, falling like winter’s snow.

“I’ve protected us from its effects, my friend,” Jaffrine said calmly to Strevan. “Notch your bow once more.”

And it was true. Tartara didn’t feel any blindness or shortness of breath, or even the urge to sneeze. In fact, she was excited. And mortified there were Dark Knights on Ys, but super excited.

Strevan drew another arrow back and let it forth. Then another, and another, dropping Dark Knights to the earth with each release. The boy had grown so much these past years.

As the Dark Knight riders began to cough and sputter, Tartara gathered herself and dove in. Some halted their steeds to regain their breath, wiping their eyes of the thick pollen, while others just veered wild. That was when she struck. Sometimes the neck, sometimes the eyes, but always in rapid succession.

But as the wind began to swell again, the pollen floated off in the breeze. Soon their advantage began to dwindle, and in moments the Dark Knights were all around them. Tartara flitted to Jaffrine’s side.

A crack and snap came from the deep of the wood on their right. She looked over, as she saw Strevan peer into the shade between the trunks. Not far off was the beast that caused the disruption. She gasped.

“Oh no,” groaned Strevan, turning to face the new threat. “Just as the knight warned us; there’s a tunnel raptor coming!”

Jaffrine whirled around, crouching down as a Dark Knight blade went overhead. “Your bow is all that can save us. I’ve no time for spells!”

Tartara raced to the large ranger, intending to guard his back. The raptor and its rider tore through the trees. A few paces from Strevan it burst from the thorns out onto Robyn’s Road. He pulled back on his bow for his last chance at a shot. Its string grew fine and taught. Just as the raptor leapt toward him, he let the shaft fly.

“Strevan!” screamed Tartara. He wasn’t going to make it! The raptor was going to tear him to shreds. She turned her head, unwilling to watch.

But Strevan’s arrow sprang forward with the power of a stampeding herd of wild animals. It pierced the jaw of the tunnel raptor, killing it instantly. The beast crushed its dark elf rider beneath its great weight as it fell.

The scattered Dark Knights, who pulled back as the raptor came, regathered. 

Hearing the roar of the airship, Tartara looked up. Suddenly she felt a breeze as great bolts ran through several of the Dark Knight cavalry about them. As their comrades fell, their captain, and the remaining Dark Knights made for the wood in disarray, taking what cover they could find, leaving the rangers unhindered.

Jaffrine leapt to her feet “Make haste!”

The airship had begun its descent.

The ninja tossed the rope ladder overboard and it draped down The Cloudracer’s side. Jaffrine grabbed its rungs, and Strevan, huffing and puffing, was at her heels in moments. They went quick, despite the strength it probably took to keep hold of the swaying thing as it hovered above the ground. Then once more, the airship began its slow ascent toward the heavens as they continued their climb and Tartara rushed skyward.

She darted over the edge and landed on deck, as the other two rangers clambered aboard, flopping themselves down on their backs. With a deep breath, she thanked The God they were okay. Things were getting a bit dodgey.