Jeff Inlo - Nightmare's Shad

Taking advantage of the confusion, a second wave of insects remained outside the fray, unnoticed by the battling behemoths. Around three dozen caelifera hovered above the lake, out of reach and out of range. The grouping appeared to take heed of the conflict as if calculating the significance of so many cliff behemoths willing to do battle.

The small structure by the lakeside had remained a focal point. That much was clear. The behemoths had maintained a position around the hut and would not venture far from its walls. Its importance became even more evident as the battle raged.

As if they suddenly discovered a long lost secret, the unengaged caelifera found purpose of their own and swooped down upon the hut. The first few that landed on the roof clawed at the thatch and mud, pulling it apart and sending it flying into the air like dirt laden confetti. Their intent was clear and their action quick. They gave no time for the cliff behemoths outside the structure to react.

Once the roof was pulled away completely, several caelifera dropped within the cabin walls. They filled all of the available space, separating the two occupants. Initially, not a single insect struck out. Instead, they remained still, standing on hind legs. They stared within the meager structure with unblinking eyes, and regarded the full contents of the shack with apparent curiosity.

Elese pressed all her strength against the nearest monsters. She sent two flying into the distance against their will with a mighty heave of both her arms, but two more locusts dropped into the space made available. Elese's path to Linda remained blocked. She tried to shove her way through to the far corner where she knew Linda stood, but a terrified scream brought her attempts to a halt.

When the caelifera first dropped into the hut, Linda could not make a sound. She stared at the giant locusts with disbelief. Despite everything she had been through, the monster towering over her seemed beyond reason. She could only gape at the creature, until it grabbed her. The scream was more of an uncontrolled response than a call for help.

Linda felt the weight of her body completely engulfed in multiple legs of the caelifera. She sensed her feet leave the ground as the vibrations of the monster's wings shook her entire body. She looked down for only an instant, but then slammed her eyes shut. Still, she could not shut out the truth. The wind blew threw her hair and she felt the stiff breeze across her body. She was being carried away, taken south.

"You can not just fly off like that."

"I really didn't fly," Jure corrected Holli. "It's more like a transportation…"

"I know what it is! I do it myself… when the time is right! You were needed here."

Jure was about to argue, but then reversed course, and tone. "I admit it. I didn't handle it right. I know you're in charge. I should have asked you first. It's just that I sensed the thrastil and couldn't ignore it. I didn't think the algors had a chance. But that's no excuse. I'm sorry."

His words carried sincerity and Holli knew it. He was not just pacifying her. He made a mistake and admitted it. It was actually the best answer he could have given her, the best answer she could have hoped for.

Of all the magic casters in Pinesway, Jure was both the most powerful and the most respectful. He recognized the true power in the entire spectrum of magical energy and displayed sincere consideration to all of its elements. He agreed to defend Pinesway and the eastern plains because he believed in the cause. He did not look for selfish gain, or focus on self preservation.

When Jure returned from the desert, he could have dismissed Holli's concerns, treated her as an inferior. He didn't have to listen to her. With the power at his command, he could have tossed her aside like an empty wheat sack, which would have beyond impertinent. It would have been calamitous.

With Enin trapped, any disregard from Jure would have poisoned her authority. He did not take any such stand. He acknowledged her command and actually apologized.

Holli did more than simply appreciate his respect. Her estimation of the man grew and any doubts about his loyalties faded away. She knew she could rely upon him, and as there was no sense in pounding the point-admonishing him further-she focused on more pressing matters.

"What happened out there?"

Jure explained his arrival in the desert, his fight with the thrastil, and the signs of the casualties among the algors and the dark creatures.

The news rose the elf's spirits, as well as her hopes. It sounded as if the desert was secure. One less concern, though others were growing.

"What about the dwarves?" Holli asked.

"What dwarves?"

"Enin sent two battalions of dwarves to assist the algors. You told me you saw Ryson and the algors, but where were the dwarves?"

"I didn't see them, but I really didn't look, either."

"No dwarf weapons or war machines near the thrastil?"

"No, just broken rock and some dead algors."

"No dwarf casualties anywhere?"

Jure closed his eyes and reconstructed the desert scene in his mind. He knew if there were dwarf bodies near the thrastil, he would have seen them. He hadn't and so he shook his head with certainty.

"That does not seem right," Holli revealed as she considered her own expectations of what should have occurred.

"I don't think I'm mistaken. I'm pretty…"

Holli reassured the wizard by explaining her true point of contention.

"I do not doubt your assessment of the scene. I believe you, but what I can not understand is why the dwarves would not have rushed the thrastil. They are determined warriors and can be stirred into bloodlust given the right circumstances. A thrastil would have offered them a challenge I would not think they could resist. I would have guessed there would have been at least a few dwarf corpses around the thrastil, perhaps even dozens. Long odds would not frighten them. To put it simply, they are not ones to back away from a fight. I believe they would have charged the thrastil, if for nothing else, to prove their courage."

"Maybe they didn't get the chance," Jure offered. "I reached the desert fairly quickly. I think the battle with the thrastil had just begun."

It was plausible, but Holli offered other possibilities.

"Or maybe they never reached the desert at all. Baannat could have easily targeted the dwarves in their underground tunnels. We know the ghoul wants to make a war of many fronts. We have no idea how many dark creatures are at his disposal. The dwarves could be fighting trolls and bloat spiders as we speak."

"That's a bit of a pessimistic assumption," Jure noted.

"In war, you have to always assume the worst."

Jure knew very little of war, and he did not wish to contradict the elf guard. Still, he had found power in seizing upon the positive, accentuating the opportunity as opposed to emphasizing the peril. That outlook brought him greater control over magic and it did not suit him to simply accept the worst case scenario.

He contemplated the situation and offered a solution that might answer the question with a greater degree of certainty as opposed to simply accepting pessimistic assumptions.

"I could try to probe for them. There's still water out there from my spells. I could use that as a way to search. If they're anywhere near the desert, I might be able to locate them. I don't think it would take long to try."

Holli considered the offer, but realized the results offered little reward. "I do not think it would help our situation. Dwarves are very resistant to magic, and trying to uncover their whereabouts might be a waste of your power. It is a factor that needs to be considered, but it is not imperative. Knowing the desert is secure is the most important issue. Are you certain there were no other threats in the area?"