Jeff Inlo - Nightmare's Shad

"And so I will, but you might wish to consider those who have felt greater loss and still believe."

"That's their problem, not mine."

"And as you focus on your problems, I will remain faithful that Godson will help to heal you, as well as the others who have suffered."

Dzeb let go of the delver, and Ryson Acumen took off to the south without another word.

As Ryson blazed off in a blur, he pressed the words of the cliff behemoth out of his mind, or so he thought. He focused on saving Linda. He was sure she had been taken to the dark realm. He would check the cave first and if she was not there, he would search the entire realm if necessary. He would find her.

And then what?

That was the important question. How would he save her? What if she remained in the clutches of a swarm of caelifera? He couldn't fight them all. One was probably too much.

And if not the caelifera, then he would have to face Baannat. How could he defeat the ghoul? He thought he already had. He fought Baannat before and won. Baannat was dead, but somehow returned.

Returned.

With that thought, he realized he would not go directly to the portal. He wanted to, with all his being, but a spark of realization made it impossible.

Dzeb's assertion about accepting assistance was correct, but only partially. Ryson had to consider what force to bring with him against Baannat, but it wasn't going to be an army of cliff behemoths. He needed something else. And though it would cost him time, he had to make one stop first. If he was going to save himself, save Enin-and most importantly, save Linda-he knew he needed help. He believed he knew where to get that help.

Black dust fell upon several magic casters at once. A spell of near total dominance announced the new attack on Pinesway. It came from every direction, the enemy sorcerer's location not yet revealed. The misty but dry substance followed the waves of magic, traveled over the echoes of spells used against the dark creatures that previously invaded the abandoned town. The remnants of these spells formed the anchor lines for the assault.

In the northern section of Pinesway, the sorceress and wizard that drove back the river rogues with fire could not escape the black powder that shot back upon them like shadow flares. On the streets encircling the town, the magic casters that repelled goblin crossbow fire with wind swells could not avoid the murky cloud that swirled around them. And the sorcerers to the southwest that pressed the gremplings back into the trees with spells of pure force could not evade the dark wall that fell upon them.

Despite the great magical power in all of these spell casters, they could not overcome the strike. The black spell grasped the magical residue, followed it with unerring accuracy. The echoes of past spells could not be extinguished fast enough to escape the fury of the overpowering retaliation. A dozen spell casters dropped to the ground, dead in but an instant.

Holli felt the loss. Her connection to the other magic casters in Pinesway allowed her to oversee the battle, to conduct her strategies. It also enabled her to sense their death. In that instant, she also understood the brilliance of the overall plan.

"That is why they attacked the way they did," the elf guard said to herself. "Someone out there wanted us to cast spells at the invaders, to create a magical trail that could be used against us."

Knowing the strategy, however, did little to comfort her. Utilizing the remnants of spells as a conduit for an attack required powerful focus and control. Holli realized that all of the dark creatures that surrounded Pinesway, including the rock beetles that had already perished, were nothing compared to the sorcerer able to devise such a spell. The goblins, river rogues, gremplings, and rock beetles were less than distractions, they were expendable tools, and they were used as such.

She directed an immediate order to the surviving magic casters at her disposal.

"Break all links to any existing spells!"

This, of course, would also break the ties she established to communicate her orders. She would not be able to coordinate the fight-debilitating, but necessary, for if they allowed any lingering spell connection, it would be used against them all.

Holli's perception of the town went blank. All sight spells dissolved as did her link to every other sorceress and wizard in Pinesway. Her awareness was limited to what she could see and hear from her current position, which was very little. She ran outside and scanned the town in hopes of regrouping her forces. She saw no one.

"Where is Heteera?" she fumed.

There was, however, no sign of her or Jure. The streets remained empty. Her options dwindled. She did not wish to move far from her command post, as she needed Heteera at her side if they were to have any chance at defeating the new threat that surely stalked them all. If she ventured too far, she might not locate Jure until it was too late.

At the same time, she did not wish to abandon the other spell casters. They would need direction or they would be picked off one by one. The spell links had been broken, but a dark sorcerer of such significant power had many ways to search the town.

As an elf guard, she immediately realized that indecision was her greatest enemy. The battle had turned and she faced a defining moment. Wars were won or lost during such critical periods. She would not fail due to uncertainty.

Though her magical reserves remained low, she utilized almost all she had left for one spell. She did not create links to any other spell casters to send her message. Instead, she forced her thoughts out through the town for all to hear regardless of their connection to the magic.

"Do not attack! Reserve all of your power for defensive spells. Fall back against any foe. Abandon the town, but only if necessary."

She then sent a second message. It was directed at one individual, but again, every one in and around Pinesway would hear it.

"Jure, find her, get back here, and prepare to use her, if necessary."

Her orders given, she waited for what she believed was the inevitable assault. She knew she had left herself open for an attack. The dark sorcerer could easily use her last spell of communication to send powerful magic back upon her. She understood that when she cast the spell. She didn't intend to die, but she knew there might be little choice in the matter. If she did, she hoped Jure was as strong as she believed.

#

"I wish to talk to you," the muscular man with dirty blonde hair, a large nose, and sunken eyes commanded as he appeared directly in front of Neltus.

Neltus pulled to a halt from his slow trot. He had heard Holli's order and accepted it as an invitation to leave. He had seen the attack of black magic on a nearby wizard. He had no intention of suffering a similar fate. He was going to abandon the town immediately, because in his eyes, it was necessary-necessary for him to survive.

"I know you're leaving, and that's exactly what I want," the stranger announced to a silent Neltus. "There are, however, a few things I must know, and so, your exit must be delayed."

Neltus didn't like taking orders, but it seemed as if lately no matter where he turned, another more powerful spell caster was making demands. He believed the man before him was responsible for the sudden change in fortunes in Pinesway, and if that was the case, he didn't want to cross him. Before making any further decisions, he decided to confirm his suspicions.

"You cast that spell, the one that killed the others, didn't you?" Neltus finally asked cautiously.

"I did. I could have killed you as well. It would have been easy. That spell you cast-the one that vibrated the land-quite a spell, but quite a trail as well. You left a wake of magical energy back to you that a blind man could have followed, but I decided I wanted you to live."