Tegus: and the Shards of Solaster

Chapter 22: Back to the University

The next morning Tegus awoke to Muella strapping her armour to her legs. He watched as she encased her wondrous body in her newly crafted armour and tuned to him. She looked at him lazing in the bed, smiled and walked over to him. She leant towards him, grabbed him by his beard and pulled his lips to hers. The moment was interrupted by Muella opening the curtains with her other hand and dazzling Tegus. He laughed and knew he had to get up, after all today was the day he would return home and begin to plan how to deal Vakaroth. Muella told Tegus she would meet him in the square as she was off to oversee the preparations and then left the room. Tegus’ mind was still on Vakaroth, the elf wizard which had seen Tegus as a rival since Tegus was fast tracked, something that proved he was better than Vakaroth and that Vakaroth hated him for. Tegus thought about Vakaroth as he got dressed and in his mind tried to understand what had compelled him to want to destroy Tegus, was it really just jealousy?

He left the room and went for one last look at the beauty of the Skiv’ary people. He saw the magical vegetation that grew all around, it twisted and turned and was one with many buildings it touched. The buildings where bulky yet elegant; they looked as though they could withstand the harshness of time. Time perhaps but what about Vakaroth? If he failed to stop Vakaroth now with demons at his side; who would be safe? It pained him to think all that he had seen and the wonders he had not yet; It could be corrupted and burnt away. He then saw Muella giving out commands to her newly appointed leaders. He no longer saw someone rebelling against a leader but a saw at strong women leading; he admired her, getting ready for a war that was not hers.

“Quite a woman you found yourself,” a familiar voice came from behind. It was Razahir sharpening some blades Tegus had not seen before, perhaps a gift from the Skiv’ary or simply Razahir had that many Tegus had not seen them in the past.

Tegus turned to looking at him, “I see they gave you new weapons?” he assumed.

“Yes courtesy of your new lover,” he smiled at Tegus.

“She’s not...” he began and thought, “I guess she is.” Razahir just smiled at him.

“How can I beat demons Razahir? How can I keep her safe?” Tegus told his worries to the half-elf who stopped sharpening and stood up.

“Tegus,” he paused, “I only believe in that which I can see. I have seen your power with the shard you hold; even without it, I would not wish to be your enemy. I believe you can do anything.” Razahir looked down towards Muella, “and she completes you. You worry about losing her, I can tell, but she is strong and been with her means that you will fight with more drive than anyone. A man in love has the most to lose that’s certain but a man in love also fights the hardest to keep it.”

Tegus was shocked by Razahir’s seriousness but appreciated his faith in him.

Down in the square Muella was starting to gather her forces. They all were in formation, in rows of three behind each other ready to fit through the portal. Each soldier carried their individual rations and tents along with their personal weapons, there were all kinds of Skiv’ary wielding different ones and each as skilled as the next in their chosen instruments.

“Time to head home” Razahir said to Tegus and began heading to the portal sheathing his toys. Tegus smiled and thought, home. He had missed the magical charm of the University and followed Razahir up to the path.

All three gathered at the top of the temple. They looked at each other and then watched as Tegus pulled out his shard. He held it up to the temple doorway and stepped forward. The huge doorway was filled with what looked like a thick yellow mist. Tegus put his hand out cautiously. The mist started to swirl around and engulf his fingers and hand. His renown curiosity propelled him, and he took Muella by his other hand and stepped through in excitement.

His enjoyment soon diminished as he was thrown aside by Muella as a ball of hellfire flew at them. Black smoke and fires burned everywhere. There was also magical water flowing, fighting the fires as well as balls of water and slivers of ice been propelled into propelled into the air. Muella was on was on her feet first as Tegus was trying to work out what was going on. She pulled him up as something flew past them. In a reaction, Tegus froze it, and It plummeted to the ground. It was a winged demon; even frozen it had a look of hatred upon Its face.

“Tegus find yourself!” Muella ordered, “Seek out those you left in command. I will bring in my troops.” Muella commanded him. He nodded and found his focus. He began to run. Then almost leaped and before he knew it his passion at seeing his home under siege took over, and he was winged and flying low across the magical grounds between towers and burning embers. He looked for someone he recognised. All he could see was elves and humans fighting the flames from the ground up. Then he thought, Norsewind, surely a dwarf in robes would be easier to find than an elf in robes. He was right and at that moment water orbs cascaded from above. Tegus looked up to witness the statue’s alive fighting for their home. He saw Ocelot steaming his carriage onward with Norsewind stood on its roof fighting with all his might. Tegus flew and caught them up and landed next to the dwarf. “Master! You’re back!” Norsewind shouted. Tegus trying to keep his mind balance said, “yes, what’s going on? “

Vakaroth sent his blasted demons in. I didn’t believe he had demons until I saw this.”

The carriage took a sudden dive, and the pair had to grab on suddenly.

“Sorry” Ocelot cried back to them and at that another bronze carriage was melted away near them from hellfire. “Where is Vakaroth?” Tegus asked bluntly. “Not around,” Norsewind stated confidently, “I have been up over here for long enough to see the battle. If he is nearby, he is not making himself known.”

Tegus felt a cloud of anger come over him. Vakaroth sends in the demons and doesn’t come to fight himself, all he could think was the coward. “We need to get these demons to land.” Tegus told Norsewind.

“How?” Norsewind was open to suggestions.

“Fly down, get everyone back behind the towers and let the fires burn.” Tegus began to instruct as Norsewind interrupted, “let them burn?!” Tegus carried on, “we can use the smoke to hide ourselves and force them to land and look for us on foot. I have an army of Skiv’ary coming here right now through a portal at the Grand Masters tower.”

Norsewind understood. Once the demons were dealt with the fires would not be a problem. He nodded and started commanding the carriages down.

“Where is Kalthion?” Tegus asked. “Commanding the ground, he’s right in the middle.” Norsewind told him.

“Get me there I will tell him the plan.” Tegus instructed. Revolver flew downward low enough for Tegus to jump down.

Kalthion was throwing out water orbs as fast as he was shouting orders. Tegus was amazed by the skill and grace of this master wizard. His flow was interrupted by the presence of Tegus, “You have returned, and the shards?”

“All in good time Kalthion but know they are secure,” Tegus calmed him, “right now. I need you to get everyone back towards the masters’ tower.”

“The fires?” Kalthion questioned as he continued to douse everything with water.

“We can put them out and rebuild after. Right now, I have a plan.” Tegus shelved Kalthion’s concern, and Kalthion obeyed.

Everyone began to head back; it almost looked like a retreat. The fires were allowed to burn, and the smoke grew as Tegus wanted.

All the students and teachers were among the smoke trying to breathe. Just wait, Tegus thought. Muella appeared through the portal with Razahir behind, and the army of Skiv’ary marched through after.

Tegus made his way over to her and embraced her momentarily, “The demons will need to land to fight us now.” He explained.

Muella smiled at him and nodded, “you could have been a good battle tactician” and then she addressed her army, explained the plan to them and told them to get ready for immediate battle.

They stayed quiet. They heard the screeches of the demons communicating and the thuds as they landed. The Skiv’ary warriors waited.

The demons closed in near the towers.

Tegus rose up on his magical wings and with one command, the winds in the sky blew across the University’s floor clearing the smoke and even blasting out the fires leaving just a few burning embers. The Skiv’ary and wizards alike attacked the demon hordes. Skiv’ary steel flew, and magic spells flung. Razahir fought around his uncle Kalthion taking out anything that got too close while Kalthion sent the demons back to the underworld. Norsewind and Ocelot took to the sky again with the bronze men to rain down on the demons, and Muella and Tegus fought together. Spell and blade danced around one another as did they. Demons were sent to from their world to where they came from and only some limbs remained. Muella, Razahir and Tegus all felt the power of the shards make them stronger, and they all fought with their own strengths too.

The demons were vanquished, there lay a few fatalities among the Skiv’ary and some of the wizards had also fallen while many suffered wounds that they would survive.

Everyone began to look at each other. Was it over? Norsewind came and re-joined them. They began to smile but before they could truly believe it a demonic voice spoke, “YOU MAY HAVE BESTED MY MINIONS BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU WIN.” At that a great three horned demon who looked somewhat like a huge red lion, the size of one of the towers appeared and swung its barbed bladed tail at them all. Tegus, Muella and Razahir all set on the sizeable demon. Tegus’ eyes went white, and he flew up casting spell after spell at the mammoth demon, Muella had leaped in and was swinging her blade at its legs immobilizing it. As the demon stumbled forward Razahir saw his opportunity and ran up the beast’s arm hacking away then continued around its neck and head. The beast flailed trying to rid itself of all three attacks. It was no good. Tegus was too powerful, Muella too strong and Razahir too fast. The beast tumbled to the ground, and the trio returned to the others. Everyone was cheering until the demon spoke, “CHEER ALL YOU WANT. I AM A FIREBRAND DEMON, AND I BIND MY FIREPOWER TO VAKAROTH. IN KILLING ME, YOU HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE SO THAT MY ESSENCE AND POWER WILL LIVE THROUGH HIM. HE WILL RAISE MY ARMY AND MORE WILL COME UNTIL WE DESTROY YOU!” It was clear they had just aided Vakaroth in gaining the power he wanted. All three looked at each other shocked. With the demon’s last bit of energy, it released its tail spike at the closest person. Norsewind was not fast enough to move and closed his eyes waiting for the impalement. He opened them again to see Kalthion standing in front of him looking at his chest; blood began to pool on his robes, as he glanced down. There was the tip of the demon’s tail poking through his chest, “It’s been a while since I have bled” Kalthion said calmly.

“You would give your life for a dwarf?” Norsewind asked shocked by the elves’ actions.

“For a friend,” Kalthion smiled at him placed his arms on Norsewind’s shoulders as the blood began to dye his robes.

Everyone rushed over.

“Kalthion, what can do?” Tegus asked him.

He just smiled and said, “let me be with my brother Ilfirimain.” Kalthion asked.

Norsewind helped lay him down on his side. “You were my brother Kalthion” he said.

Tegus began casting a spell, the very same spell, or curse, which Vakaroth had used on Ilfirimain. He looked at Kalthion for confirmation of this and Kalthion looked back and nodded. Tegus finished the spell, and Kalthion was cursed. His wound stopped bleeding, and the demon’s tail spike fell to the floor. Kalthion stood up with help from Norsewind and Razahir. Razahir looked at Kalthion and said, “I never got to know any of my family, and you have to go. This isn’t just.” Kalthion responded with, “It’s not fair I know, but you have your family right here all around you.” Razahir looked at Tegus and knew he had a brother, someone he could rely on. “Thank you Tegus. Stop Vakaroth for the sake of this world” he smiled at Tegus again and looked at Muella, “What a beauty. Tegus has found a fine woman.” Muella smiled and Kalthion took her hand and said, stick with Tegus and Razahir, together you three are strongest. You just bested a full demon.” He said with a smile, he then leaned in and whispered to Muella while secretly touching her belly, “Besides I’m sure a baby born from a Grand Master wizard, and the leader of Skiv’ary will need plenty of protections when growing up, Strength and Magic, Powerful combination that many would wish to use for themselves.” She looked at him shocked, she was pregnant! One night they had been together and Kalthion knew from a touch of her belly before she did.

Kalthion looked at Norsewind one last time, “you kept me entertained old friend. I look forward to seeing you again” and at that he smiled, bowed and was gone.

“Where has he gone?” Razahir asked curiously.

“To join his brother on top of the highest mountain as a statue and constant watcher of this world.” Norsewind answered, “They are together as brothers again.”

There were a few moments of silence for him and the others who had fallen.

Tegus broke the silence, “We must plan our next move to end Vakaroth’s destruction once and for all.”

Everyone agreed.

“Let us rebuild and use this floating University as our headquarters, for the sake of our world and all creatures in it. Let all races hear our call, Dwarfs, Men, and Elves of all backgrounds and see who answers to save their world. It’s time for wizards and Skiv’ary to go to war”

To be continued...