By Amanda Pizzolatto alias Aurora Mandeville

Word Count: 1490

Rating: G

Summary: When evil forces try to prevent a prophecy of peace from coming to fruition, Elves and Hobs must join together to stop them.

Leran woke bright and early the next morning, eager to get his day underway. He quickly made his way to the barracks, where his men were checking in for the day, and found the elf he was looking for.

“Lieutenant Imera, a word, please.”

“Of course, sir. About Brera and Freylif, correct?”

Leran nodded. “Did you meet anyone close to them, or hear anything interesting?”

Imera raised an eyebrow. “Well, the two were talking about rings; apparently Brera is going to marry someone of great importance. Who her husband will be, she didn’t say, but from what she did say, it was clear he is rich and powerful. As for Freylif, she lives alone, few friends, even fewer family. Her only brother was banished from the family for his greediness. She’s worried that he’s hanging out with Sandor’s crowd; he has a lot of information Sandor could use, like what gems can enhance powers, what metals to use for ifrits, things like that.”

“Hmm . . . interesting. Thank you, Lieutenant, I will let the king know. For now, keep an ear out for any news concerning Brera and Freylif. The orcs might try it again.”

“Yes, sir.” Imera saluted his captain before continuing on with his day.

Leran also continued on, making his way to the aran caves.

“Welcome back, Galas. The mission was a success, I take it?” The long, elegant neck of an aran moved from where it lay, making Leran look into its opal eyes.

Leran smiled. “It was, Rivien. I just wish you were there.”

“Why, did you meet any dregans?”

“No, thankfully, but it would have been nice, just in case.”

A low rumbling chuckle emitted from Rivien. “You will have to learn how to complete missions without us. Becoming far too dependent on our abilities will give the orcs an advantage, one you can ill afford.”

Leran sighed. “I know, but we could never defeat the dregans without you.”

The blue head nodded. “Then let us handle the dregans, and you worry about the orcs. Yelwa gives each of us worries and cares; do not concern yourself with another’s unless you can help. But enough of that. I hear rumors that it was an attempt by Sandor to stop the prophecy. Is this so?”

“It would seem that way from what we gathered from the orcs, but I suspect that Sandor had a different motive for the kidnapping since we had no trouble bringing them home. I wonder, maybe . . .”

Just then, an elf ran toward him. “Captain Leran! Dregans at Hobera! The king has ordered your squad to aid.”

“And we will obey. Inform my men to meet me above the caves in five minutes!”

“Yes, sir!” The elf quickly saluted before rushing off to spread the word.

“Perhaps,” said Rivien, “we will find out what Sandor’s plans really are.”   

Leran’s face was grim as he saddled Rivien.” Perhaps, but I just hope nothing bad happens to the hobs, especially the Bixels.” He climbed into the saddle. “Let’s go.”

Rivien walked out of the cave before spreading his feathered wings, and with one leap they were airborne. They were soon joined by Leran’s lieutenant, Elor, and their arans, the look on Elor’s face speaking volumes.

When all of Leran’s squad was there, he began giving directions. “As soon as we get there, we will have to go into battle, so keep in mind what I am about to say. We are going to split into three groups. Lieutenant Imera will take a group and tend to fires. Take out any dregans and orcs you come across, but the fires are your main concern. Elor Corril will take another group and make sure all of the hobs are safe. You may put out any fires you need to, but the safety and protection of the hobs is your main concern. The final group is with me; we will handle the dregans and will assist wherever possible. You know which groups to go in. Let’s move out!”

With a roar from Rivien, the squad took off, racing to help their little allies. Rage filled Leran’s heart and mind when he saw the destruction the dregans and their orc riders were spreading in the capital of Hapryn. He gave a signal, and the squad split up. Rivien let out a mighty roar, alerting their adversaries to their arrival. He reared up, flapped his wings, and a huge gust of wind blew the smoke away, revealing their opponents. The lead dregan roared as they flew into battle, the arans twisting and turning around their more bulky adversaries.

Leran glanced at Rivien, and the two nodded. They rushed at the closest dregan, Leran climbing onto the dregan, Rivine going under. Leran quickly killed the orc while Rivien found and attacked the dregan’s weak spot. The elf jumped back onto his aran’s back as their enemies fell to the ruins below. They took out five more in like manner before needing to change their tactics.

“Leran!”

The elf glanced at the aran, who was looking to his left. Leran looked in the same direction and his heart nearly stopped. Elor and Naryen were pulling the Bixels out of their once elegant mansion. Rivien turned in their direction, flying fast.

“Rivien, what are you . . .” began Leran, but he stopped and gasped. Elor and Naryen couldn’t see the fast approach of a particularly cruel-looking dregan, clearly with every intent of killing the two. “Elor, Naryen, get them out of here!”

Elor looked at him quizzically and opened his mouth to speak, but clamped it shut as a look of worry was drawn on his face. The dregan had let out a roar when it realized its surprise attack was foiled as Leran and Rivien rushed forward to meet it, giving Elor and Naryen the chance to get the Bixels to safety. Leran quickly shot the orc rider, followed immediately by an arrow in the dregan’s head. Rivien’s neck shot out and snapped at the dregan’s weak spot. The two watched their foes crash into what was left of the Bixel mansion before leaving to check on the squad and the hobs.

“Captain! The last of the dregans and the orcs are retreating! Should we pursue?”

“How many?”

“Uh, three dregans and twelve orcs, sir.”

“No, we will not pursue them; we must lend assistance to the hobs and help clear up this mess. Valyr, Gilred, I need you to take the west side of the city. Arel, Anyor, take the east side of the city. Help any hobs you come across and inform the rest of the squad to rendezvous with us at Meryn’s Peak.”

“Yes, sir!” saluted the elves before taking off on their arans.

Leran led the rest of his team to Meryn’s Peak, where Elor’s team was already working to get the hobs calmed and families reunited.

“Corril, report.”

“So far so good, Captain; we were able to save everyone. There are a few minor burns and cuts that the arans are tending to right now, but the only loss seems to be the city itself.”

“Good, something that’s much more fixable than a lost life.” Elor agreed. “You are in charge until Lieutenant Imera arrives. Begin setting up shelters and gathering food. I’m going to request aid from King Elan. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Elor before the two went their separate ways, Elor to Meryn’s Peak and Leran to Elden, where he reported immediately to Elan.

“Good, you were able to save them,” said the king. “I’ve already sent squads to Rorin, Sondic, Belkard, and Wokar in case of attack, along with a request for aid for Hobera. I am sure they will send aid when they can. In the meantime, Loryna and Milana are getting a caravan of supplies together for the hobs, so please make sure they arrive safely and that they return safely.”

Leran bowed. “I will see to their safety personally, your majesty.”

“Thank you, Galas.”

Leran was startled by the use of his first name, but only bowed and left to guard the caravan.

The caravan arrived at Meryn’s Peak a week after the attack. The spirits of the hobs lifted at the aid, even more so when berserkers and dwarves trickled in. Not only did they help the elves and the hobs with the cleaning, they also helped with the building. However, unknown to everyone else, a dwarf found something of great value, a gold ring with a strange inscription and the symbol of a flame engraved upon it in firle.

“So this is what you were looking for, and you destroyed Hobera for it. Well, now you will not have it; I will make sure of that, brother.”

The End

<- Previous