Threat of the Shadow Mage

THE VILLAGERS GREW RESTLESS, AND BEGAN TO WONDER IF THEY SHOULD trust Dante and his plan, and some began to wonder whether or not he’d keep his word on bringing Aspen to them. A couple of them began to bicker when someone called out to them and pointed to the northern woods. They looked over, and saw Dante heading over with a hooded figure on horseback. No one knew who it was, but they had an idea based on today’s events. As they approached, the villagers gathered ’round the center of town, and waited for their instructions.

“Friends and fellow villagers, I’ve given my word, and held up my part of the bargain. Let your minds be at ease.”

He looked to Aspen, but she didn’t remove her hood.

“How can we be assured that that is Silvertongue if they do not remove their hood?” Someone asked, but then Aspen used her telepathy and said,

“It is because of you that I am in this mess! Selfishness and greed blinded you from the situation at hand. Cowards! You should be ashamed of yourselves! I would not be here before you had you been so submissive and cave to the ways of the Mage! Be assured that I am Silvertongue! I am Aspen Leighanna Silvertongue, and I sit before you now to tell you just that!”

Silence fell, and the villager who spoke lowered his head knowing what she said was correct. She spoke again.

“So shall we get on with this or leave the kids to die?”

“Namtar!” Akoff called out.

He arrived not two seconds later, startling Akoff slightly.

“You called?” Namtar asked grimly.

“Yes. Are the spies in place?”

“Indeed they are sir, and they are due to report back in a few minutes.”

“Good. I expect them back in five minutes, no more, no less. Understood?”

Namtar bowed his head, and Akoff went about his business. As he did, Namtar glanced at him and smirked with other plans in mind.

Dante and Aspen began their journey to the outskirts of town, but all the while, Aspen hung her head feeling that this was the end of the line. Feeling her pain, and not having any words to comfort her, Dante remained silent, but draped his arm over her shoulders. The spies saw them pass and shot back to the hideout to inform their master of the progress at hand.

“Are you positive it was her?”

“Absolutely. No question about it.”

Namtar barely looked over his shoulder as if he heard something, and held that position for a long moment.

“Go to Akoff and tell him,”

“The villagers are rioting against her as we speak, sire.”

Akoff looked down at the espionage wondering whether or not he was telling the truth.

“You’re sure they will deliver her?” he then asked.

“With every bone in my body. Deep sorrow and hatred loomed above them as they went to find her.”

With that having been said, Akoff believed him, and sent him away. The espionage reported back to Namtar.

“Good. Poor Akoff will need to think we still serve him seeing his own soldiers growing suspicious of his actions.”

“So what do we do next, my liege?”

“You two wait until I give the order, and then I will take what is mine, and we’ll go from there.”

“As you wish. We’ll keep it on the down low until we hear from you again.”

“You do that. Now be off; I have some things to attend to” Namtar put his hand up, shooing them off and smirked as he made his last remark with eyes a flame.

Aspen looked up and froze as she saw the place she left smoking in ruin. Dante stopped and looked back at her to see what the matter was, but words were not needed in this situation. He dropped his shoulders and walked back to her.

“Hey, you okay?”

At first, she didn’t answer, but after Dante looked longingly into her eyes, she spoke.

“Dante…I don’t want to lose you,” she said as she brought a hand to his chest.

“Hey,” he said softly as he slid his hand on the side of her neck. “You’ll never lose me. Not now, not ever. You remember that. I said I’d protect you ’til whatever end, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

He kissed her forehead, lingering a moment, and then looked deep into her eyes as if searching her soul. As Dante found her again, he smiled, and pulled a strand of hair from her face that the gentle breeze placed there earlier.

“Did I ever tell you just how beautiful you are?”

Aspen gave a weak chuckle and lowered her head a bit.

“Time and again, yes…you have.”

He was silent a moment as the back of his hand lingered on her cheek. Still smiling, he shook his head.

“No I haven’t.”

Aspen’s eyes raised the question, and he elaborated.

“No poem, no words of wisdom, no being can possibly explain the beauty you possess. You are the night sky and ocean combined. You’re every sunset and sunrise that takes the breath of millions, and nothing can take that away from you. Should this be the last words I share with you, which I doubt, I want you to remember the love I have for you is everlasting.”

He paused as he noticed her eyes turn to glass, and wiped the trail of wet sadness from her cheek.

“I’ll be honest with you. With all the elven women that have passed my way, none have captivated my heart the way you have these past few years.”

Another tear found its way to her pure pale face. Dante then cupped the side of her neck and back of her head with his hand and brought her to him. A moment of silence and deep breaths was all that was passed between them. A pause and their heads remained together as they breathed a moment. Aspen opened her eyes, and Dante did the same shortly after.

“Be safe Dante,” Aspen whispered quietly as another tear found her other cheek.

Dante brought her to him in a hug and cradled her a moment. “I love you Aspen Silvertongue. I hope you know that.”

She took a moment, having been choked up, but managed to clear her throat.

“I love you too Dante Kilmenta.”

“Well then,” Dante pulled her back. “We should probably get on with this before I’m spotted.”

Aspen nodded. She began walking to the only noticeable entrance, and Dante watched in silence as she got closer and closer to the dark hole in the wall of which there was no return.

Once inside, she slowed her pace so as to not bump into anything. She moved her head back and forth, trying her best to see, but then she began to glow. “I forgot about that,” she thought. Now able to see, she continued forward, but she was still afraid that someone or something would pop out and snatch her up. As she continued forward, her fear became reality. Something ahead loomed there, pacing almost. Aspen didn’t know what to think, but it was too late to hide herself, for it had already spotted her. A pair of blood red eyes slowly turned her way, and a low growl was heard. She began to back away, but it faced forward and followed at her pace. She went a little faster, but then so did he. Now she had no choice but to turn and run, but as she did, a whirling sound zipped through the hall, and the next thing she knew was her being grabbed up and flying around.

“Ah!”

Dante sighed, and went around to where the villagers were waiting. He climbed over rocks, ducked under trees, and shuffled through the bushes before he found them in a cluster, whispering amongst themselves.

“Dante’s here. Look, Dante’s here.”

“Shh, everyone quiet.”

They quieted down as he approached.

“He doesn’t look too good.”

“Do you think something happened?” some of the villagers said, but they were rudely interrupted by what sounded like an instant rush of wind.

As Dante got there, he briefed them on the situation at hand. “Aspen made it inside, but she was snatched up.”

“Well that was part of the plan, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, now don’t interrupt.”

“Sorry.”

“There are guards at least a hundred feet inside every entrance, so the only way in without getting caught is through the top of this thing.”

Everyone simultaneously looked up, trying to see the top of the 6 mile high cliff dwelling, and were all discouraged.

“No way. Uh-uh. There’s no way we’d all make it up there without being noticed. There are too many of us.”

“So you’re giving up on your children because of a little height?” Dante asked with a tone that got his point across.

“But is there a safe way up?” another from the back asked as he popped his head out from the side of the group.

“There is, and you’re positioned not too far from it. Follow me.” They did so, and in the matter of a couple minutes, they reached what almost looked like stairs up the rock formation.

“Sire!” one of the soldiers called out as he ran to Akoff. Akoff turned surprised as the soldier approached. The soldier took his stance before him and quickly bowed.

“Sire, we have Silvertongue, as you requested.”

“Good. Bring her here.”

The soldier was silent, hesitant on what he was about to say next.

“Well go on then, bring her forward.”

“I would, sire,”

“But?”

“Namtar requests you come to him.”

“Me? Go to him?”

The soldier nodded. Akoff just about lost his temper, but remembered the reputation he held.

“I guess I don't have a choice in the matter, now do I? Take me to him.”

He did so, and hastened all along the way. The soldier was beginning to sweat like a pig once they turned into the next hall, but Akoff didn’t notice, nor did he know he was headed for a trap - an ugly one at that. They reached the room, and the soldier stopped to let Akoff pass him into the empty room. He looked around, but no one was there.

“Where are they?”

Meanwhile, Dante and his gang climbed higher and higher, beginning to reach the peak of the formation, but some were getting weary and slowed down; falling behind. Dante saw this and told those close behind him to go ahead and climbed down.

“Come on. I know it’s hard, but your children’s lives are at stake here. Do it for them, not for me, them. They need you now more than ever.”

The woman nodded.

“Okay?”

She nodded again, and began to move once again.

“There you go. You’ve got it. Come on.” Dante stayed with her the rest of the way up, and found themselves there in no time. “See. You did it. You are a strong woman. You should be proud of yourself. All of you.”

He raised his head and looked at them.

“Now…let’s go save those kids.”

Before the soldier could answer, Akoff’s head was covered with a small bag and muffled. The soldier watch terrified, and as he turned to go get help, another got in his way, stopping him cold. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said striking fear into the man. He turned around hearing a continuous thud. Akoff was struggling, and struggling hard. Another had joined the original attacker, helping hold him down. It wasn’t until a sleeping spell was cast that the thudding and struggle stopped. The two on top of Akoff raised themselves slightly and looked at each other with relief; catching their breath. Stunned silent, the spare soldier stared blankly at the three on the floor not knowing what to do. Namtar, the one who stepped in the way earlier, spoke up in a dark tone.

“You will not breed a word of this incident.”

The soldier turned sharply, somewhat ducking in terror. “If you do, your life will be threatened beyond imagination. Do you understand?”

He nodded.

“Good. Now let’s get going.” Namtar brushed past the trembling soldier to join his two accomplices.

“Careful, watch your head.” Dante warned as he helped the others into an opening. Once the last of them were in, Dante jumped in and made his way to the front of the group. He motioned for them to follow quietly, and snuck through the hidden tunnel above the main walkways. Crouching, they walked for quite a few yards before voices echoed all around them. Dante held out his hand stopping them from moving, and then stepped forward a couple paces before he saw two figures just around the corner.

“So what do you think Namtar plans to do with her?”

“Make her his bride or slave most likely. Who know what goes on in that mind of his?”

“Well I heard that he plans to overthrow Akoff’s rule and take over his position as leading Mage.”

“Can he handle that?”

“He’s the most powerful Mage ever created. I think he can handle it.”

“Let me rephrase that…Is he able to harness his power and make the right decisions that are necessary for this place?”

Silence fell between them.

“I didn’t think about it that way.”

The first one cocked his head in a sarcastic manner.

“Of course you didn’t. When do you ever think?” he asked after slapping the other on the back of the head.

“Come on. We’ve gotta go check on her.”

“Right.”

Dante scanned the floor as he realized his plan had been planned all wrong. His original plan was to overthrow Akoff, not Namtar; whoever that was. He went back to the group and told them the situation.

Aspen tugged at her bonds, but they were too tight and began to cut into her. Seeing that it was useless, unless she wanted to lose her hands, she stopped and slumped against the wall. Then she heard someone coming, but her hope of it being Dante was shattered as she saw three Mages; one of which was cloaked.

“Hello beautiful,” one teased as he circled around to get beside her.

“Enjoying your stay?”

“Gunter! Don’t antagonize her. We’re here to make sure she doesn’t escape; not make her our enjoyment party.”

Gunter glared, but then looked back at Aspen and stood as he slid his hand along her neck and head. She jerked back, but he had already finished.

“Who are you?” Gunter asked seeing they had been joined without them realizing it. The other turned hearing the question, but the man didn’t reply.

“Are you deaf? I asked you a question.”

“Gunter, don’t start that temper of yours.” Still the man didn’t answer. That was the last straw, and Gunter grabbed the man’s collar and threw him against the wall.

“What’s your name?” he shouted.

“Gunter!”

The man turned his head. “That’s none of your concern.”

“It is if I don’t know you!”

“The concern right now is you not doing your job on watching the prisoner, and knowing my name will only be a waste of time.”

Gunter was silent a moment as he heaved from having an adrenaline.

“Now are you going to let me go and do your job, or get caught and punished for letting the prisoner escape?”

Gunter looked back to make sure Aspen was still there. She was. He looked back at the man, anger still in his eyes, but he came to his senses and released him.

“Fine, but I will get to know your name one way or the other. Know that.”

He let go of the man’s collar, though it remained bunched up, and he backed off slowly. The man stayed against the wall as he turned away and hit the other wall. Aspen looked to the man having the slimmest thought of recognition with this man. He looked at her slowly, but remained silent and still.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” A villager in the group complained. “No. I’m not.”

“Then how are we supposed to get through this now?”

“Don’t worry about it. If you all just stay close and extra quiet then we’ll get through this and complete the main objective: collect the kids with Aspen and scram. We do that, and this whole thing will be over.”

The villager who spoke sighed.

“Alright. We’ll do it.”

“Thank you. Now let’s get moving.”

Dante led them on without another sound uttered.