Steven Burke - The Dark Tide

“What is our next move?” asked one of the dark elven captains. He was addressing Lord Tyrienwalker who stood on the hills just outside the former town of Belva surveying something that was not visible to the captain.

“Patience my friend…time is on our side. We have the keeper’s backing and for now we have our allegiance to Kana. We need only to build our first above ground stronghold and I will look to you to help out with that noble cause. I have other matters to attend to presently.” Tyrienwalker did not look at the elf who knew that he had been dismissed. He did not feel slighted in the least…building the fortification that had been presented earlier would require a great deal of energy and resources. The captain had a solid reputation of motivating others and this could be used well in this endeavor.

The dark figure of Tyrienwalker could be seen descending the eastern side of the hill. He was heading directly for his tent to meet with his high ranking military leaders. He wanted to meet with them to discuss their latest direction from Kana. He had met with the axis leader while his troops decimated Belva. She had instructed him to build the stronghold and told him that this particular location was crucial to the war effort. She did not tell him why, however it did not really matter to him. His people were making their presence known and their reputation was spreading like an airborne virus. This would prove helpful in coming conflicts.

In the end, Tyrienwalker still planned to overthrow Kana and take control of the lands of middle Tuwa. Once they had conquered these lands they would head south. They would not rest until all of the people and creatures of Tuwa were under their heel. They were the strongest in the land and had every right to rule. They were showing that they were powerful enough to do what they had set out to do. They showed no mercy and that they would do anything to win. The giants and the people of Belva were mere examples…they planned to enslave as many as they could.

***

Xuzien had setup different traps along the keala path that Kana’s forces were on. He had also setup magical waypoints where he could glimpse what was going on in the various locations he had set this up. He had also put in place several of these viewers throughout the west, especially on Laikra Island. He knew that this was where his adversary would come from in the end and he wanted as much advance notice as possible.

As he went through his routine of checking the different way points, he noticed that one of the Laikra viewers was showing something that he could not quite believe. It looked like the town of Belva was no more. There were smoldering piles everywhere; however, the distance was too great for him to get a better look. Still, this was an alarming development that he knew Adair would need to know about right away. He quickly activated an unusual looking device that had a blue flashing light on it. After a few moments, the guardian appeared before Xuzien. It was only a spectral version of the head guardian which meant that he was off dealing with pressing matters again.

“Adair, I thought you would like to know that the city of Belva is no more” stated the outcast magician.

“What? How do you know this?” asked a now not so distracted guardian.

“One of my spying devices allowed me to catch a peek at the town and it was gone. Nothing was left standing and there are piles burning everywhere. I could not tell if there were people there or not.” Xuzien’s heart clenched as he said this. As much as he tried to live separate and to not get attached to anyone, the people of Belva had always welcomed him. They were some of his only friends and allies in life. Now, he did not know what had become of them.

“I think this is the work of the banished dark elves. They have been busy with their slaughter of the giants and now the people of Belva. I really liked those people as I know you did as well. I am so sorry” the guardian said kindly.

“The cost of this war keeps increasing…what are the dark elves after?” asked a clearly perturbed Xuzien.

“At this point my theory is that they are looking to side with Kana just long enough for their forces to be positioned properly to take out the allies along with the axis powers. They want to rule everyone and everything in Tuwa. It is a horrible cliche; however, it is likely at the heart of what they are striving for.”

“Does this change anything for me?” asked Xuzien darkly. His mood was getting worse and the reality of what had happened to both the giants and the town of Belva cut deep.

“Stay the course…not much longer now and Master Aiden will arrive at your first rally point. I need you to pay closer attention to Laikra Island from here on out. I have a bad feeling that the dark elves may get wind of the orb and decide to retrieve it for their ends and not Kana’s. This would be beyond disastrous…it is one thing to have Kana gain the orb; however, it is even more troubling if those dark fiends get their cursed hands on it.” The guardian’s mood was also growing dimmer as the conversation continued.

“I will do what I can. I will check on Master Aiden to see where he is at and then I will continue to prepare.” It was clear that his mind was moving into action mode and that he was done with the conversation. The guardian disappeared without further comment. He had known Xuzien his whole life and did not take offense by the way he communicated.

***

Lord Tyrienwalker waited patiently for Kana to arrive. They had much to discuss. He was very curious about this orb he had heard so much about. He thought that this may be something that he could obtain and use against the fallen guardian sooner rather than later. It would make the over throw so much simpler. It was actually poetic since this was obviously an object of great power or at least importance to the elementals. It was clear that possessing this magical sphere was crucial to both sides of the conflict; this was something he needed to know more about.

Kana appeared on the rocky island out of nowhere. The popping noise that usually precedes her arrival was muffled by the incessant winds. She walked resolutely to where Tyrienwalker waited for her. Behind her was a hidden entrance to a cave of no consequence…or so the fallen guardian thought. She did not relish working with the treacherous dark elves, however, all of her other alliances had proven weak and inept. The dark elves would be successful no matter what the cost. They were an almost unstoppable force and their recent successes were a clear indicator of just that. They had had more success in the brief time they had been a part of the conflict than all the other armies under her leadership combined.

“Why are we meeting here Tyrienwalker” she shouted over the wind. She did not like communicating via the mind with dark elves, especially this one. They were too powerful to let in.

“We need to discuss this orb you are searching for. What exactly does it do?” asked the dark elf smoothly. His voice carried clearly over the wind as though the elements had no effect on it.

“The orb is a profound source of elemental magic…something that you and your kind have always disregarded.” Kana did not like the show of interest by the dark elf. She knew that she needed to down play its importance so that they would leave it to her. Besides, she needed them to focus on their push east.

“Who is seeking out this object for you? Do you need assistance in retrieving it?” pressed Tyrienwalker. His cold eyes did not show any emotion or feeling as he stared Kana down.

“No, I have already sent a special force to retrieve the object. It is more of a precautionary move than anything. I do not want the other guardians to have possession of this powerful object. By wresting control of this orb from them we will have the advantage. Now, enough about this, what we need to discuss are the battle plans for moving your armies east.” Kana made it clear that she was done talking about the orb. She held the dark elves gaze long enough to ensure she was understood.