The Fate of Amarash

 host of aderyns, and dragons, gold and silver were scattered outside the cave as they exited. The torches and the five big bonfires were the only sources of radiance for the sky was already dark at the noiseless field of Trollmorloom.
   Halvene was looking up on the sky as they walked on the field as if he was able to see at the dark sky “I’m relieved that Fortress Hill has come to aid us.” the elf said.
   “Is there something wrong again?” Drinn asked Halvene who was walking abreast with him. “Why are you still looking up in the sky?”
   “Zuriel really is the great leader of the aderyn armies.” answered the elf in a compliment tone as he lowered his head. “There are dragons hovering above securing the parameter and on the mountains surrounding us. My heart is stirred up on seeing such a number of aderyns again, the great warriors of Neriwonda.”
   “Great to see you again Drinn!” said a young voice from behind them. Drinn looked from behind him and found Hanguel.
   “You’ve change a great deal.” said the young aderyn.
   “Glad to see you too Hanguel.” replied Drinn. “Is Brandeoulf with you?”
   “Brandeoulf is with Master Zuriel as well as Reginleif and my sister Eanna. A dryad sends us news that the army of Hywel, Vennashan, Duin Hall, and Quariumora are heading towards Amarash, and we arrived perfectly, in the nick of time.” said Hanguel. “Come with me Drinn, Master Zuriel wants to see you.”
   They walk in the midst of the aderyns of Fortress Hill and far west they saw Brinsop lying on the ground wounded, Reginleif and Eanna were beside the dragon, they seemed conversing with the dragon, and so glad were they that their comrade silver dragon was still alive in spite of the wounds he got from the fierce battle. A few strides beside was the Dwarven King, Brandeoulf, and Zuriel. King Mathias, King Dunates, and Ecklaer who were walking a few feet in front of them just gave Zuriel a hand shake.
   “Master Zuriel,” said Hanguel as they approached the great aderyn leader, “This is Drinn of Hywel, the Chosen One.”
   Zuriel was standing tall; his long golden hair swaying with the soft wind blowing. His green eyes full of valor, and his body was covered with armor.
   “I’m pleased to meet the White Warrior.” said Zuriel.
   “I’m pleased to meet you too.” Drinn answered bowing his head.
   “Will it be fine if I talk to you?” Zuriel asked and with a long pause he continued “Alone?”
   Drinn answered with a slight nod and they walked away from the armies. They stopped walking when they were about a few yards away from the armies and none could hear what they were conversing about.
   “Are you the White Warrior young man?” the great aderyn leader asked, his hands crossed, leaning on his armor-plated chest, and his eyes were looking at Drinn intently. The question did surprise Drinn—for just a minute ago, Zuriel called him the White Warrior—Drinn realized then that the question was for him, if he still believed who he was.
   “Yes I am.” Drinn answered, and his voice seemed to falter.
   “Your eyes didn’t agree with your answer.” Zuriel said “And the tone too.”
   Zuriel reminded Drinn of Cuauhtémoc, the way they speak and their solemn expressions were almost the same, except that Cuauhtémoc’s eyes were gentle. Drinn lowered his head. He felt humbled standing in front of the great aderyn and knowing that Zuriel was Cuauhtémoc’s elder brother.
   “Now where is the Blade of Quinlan?” inquired Zuriel “The blade that will save the rest of us.”
   The question gave Drinn a chill as it all came back to him, his disobedience with Quinlan and his impulsive decisions. He was thinking of lying but there was no room for it, Reginleif, Eanna, his friends, and the Hywelians knew very well that the blade was broken into two.
   “The blade was…” Drinn answered wavering, “The Blade of Quinlan was broken.”
   Drinn felt as if his heart was going to burst out within him in shame as the great aderyn leader fixed his eyes on him.
   “If the warrior inside of you died, then you are already dead, even if you still live.” Zuriel said.
   “If you are a warrior by heart, only then that you are a warrior outside.”
   Zuriel then lowered his head with grave countenance. “But what I see in you is a dead warrior.” The aderyn then started to leave Drinn and get back towards the armies.

   Everything settled down as night falls in Trollmorloom, the soldiers went in their camps to rest except for some who are set to guard their posts and dragons securing their parameters. Drinn was inside his camp hardly asleep, when he felt something on his chest. As he opened his eyes he saw a white dove, but before he make a single move it flew away outside the tent.
   Without delay Drinn got up, following the dove as it flew towards west. He ran as fast as he could and when he did passed all the camps that none was blocking the way, he saw far away, on the place where he and Zuriel conversed, a man standing and he was Quinlan.
   The words of Zuriel did speak right through in his heart and so when Drinn got in front of Quinlan, he fell on his knees and his face was on the ground.  
   “Stand up son.” Quinlan said with his usual gentle tone.
   “I disobeyed you Quinlan. It’s all my fault…” Drinn said.
   “Now everything is lost. I’m leading an army towards an infinite foe. The blade was destroyed, and Vibac will kill Princess Meyah. It’s my entire fault, forgive me Quinlan…” Drinn looked up on Quinlan his face was streaked with tears.
   “What am I to do now?”
   “A true warrior knows how to cry.” Quinlan said as he kneeled with his left knee and touched Drinn’s shoulder, “And knows on whom he could cry on.”
   “You are forgiven son.”
   “You will defeat Vibac with the blade Drinn.” Quinlan said.
   “But the blade was broken…” Drinn answered.
   “Did you believe Vibac—that I’m a liar?” said Quinlan, “That the sword is not boundless?”
   “No, you never told me that the sword is boundless.” Drinn replied. “It is Ahrxez who told me.”
   “Ahrxez is my dragon Drinn, and my dragon would never tell a lie.” said Quinlan. “If Ahrxez released a word, it is as if the word came out from my own mouth.”
   “The blade is boundless if you have faith. Remember the first time you saw a mark on the blade? And then it brought you back in Quariumora in an instant. And when you and the soldiers of Hywel were surrounded with dark elves, the blade turned light into darkness. When a black dragon was about to knocked you and it did shield you. When you summoned Ahrxez and defeat the sea of Amarashans.”
   “Didn’t you notice that whatever it is that you are thinking is what the blade does? It is according to how much you believe.”
   “You are filled with anger when you fight Vibac. And he did succeed on making you doubt that as the sword hit his armor, the blade turned as if it was an ordinary sword. It was broken into two.”
   “Did you still have the blade with you?”
   “Yes master Quinlan.” he replied.
   “That’s good.” Quinlan said and then he rose up on his feet.
   “It is your identity that Vibac is trying to destroy. For when you lose your identity, you lose everything.” and Quinlan was covered with bright white light, and then the light turned into a shape of an eagle. “The blade is boundless Drinn.” Quinlan’s voice echoed and the eagle swiftly flew towards a star in a blink of an eye, it sparkled once and it vanished.
   From where Quinlan stood awhile ago, laid battle suits.

   Early the next morning the whole army was assembled in Trollmorloom preparing for their march towards Amarash. Drinn was wearing a breastplate, almost gold in color, shining in the newly risen suns. Inside the breastplate was a white linen cloth as white as a snow, all the way to his arms, and long enough that it went down up to his legs, gauntlets of gold, a pair of armored boots, and the broken blade hanging on his back.
   A huge gold dragon then landed in front of him, and its rider was Zuriel. “Now I see the White Warrior alive and valiant!” Zuriel remarked smiling on Drinn. “You have a word from him isn’t it? The aderyns will be waiting for all of you in Khazar-un. I send dragons for surveillance, and my predictions are right. The armies of Amarash are already waiting for us there.”
   “See you later White Warrior!” the dragon soared up, and all the dragons and aderyns followed his flight.

   They marched southwest for the whole day, and on the second day about four in the afternoon, they reached Khazar-un. Some soldiers named it as the Field of Death, knowing that the field where they were standing on will be filled soon with blood and dead bodies.
   “I have a mission for you Brib.” Drinn said as he went down from his horse.
   “What is it Drinn?” Bribble asked curiously.
   Drinn put out an Amulen Stone from a bag and said “You will go far south. Bring the Three Kitchen Dwarves to accompany you.”
   Drinn took Bribble’s hand and handed him the stone “When you assumed that you are far enough from the battle, you then head towards Amarash and find the Black Pool. Drop the stone on it. Quinlan gave me a dream that the Amulen Stone will stop the magic of the pool.”
   “It is a safer task, but it still involves a great risk. Be very careful then Brib.”
   “I will Drinn, you can count on me!” Bribble said as if he gained confidence on himself.
   Bribble was about to leave when he called Drinn again, “Hey Drinn!” Drinn looked back, “You looked great in your armor! Take care, my friend.”
   “I will,” Drinn replied.

   A soldier waved a flag to signal on the aderyns and on the dragons that were on far north near the towering black mountains of Amarash. It was a signal that they were ready for the battle. Drinn then went in front of the army looking on the vast armies of Amarash weighing the force of their enemy as a sound of orc horns echoed in the air. It was followed by a sound of thousands upon thousands marching feet, and it shook the ground as the armies of Amarash were gradually approaching the battlefield of Khazar-un.
   In the midst of the noise coming west Drinn stood firm and faced the Four Armies standing before him minding not the approaching foes.
   “Any minute from now, the utmost battle of Neriwonda will begin.” Drinn said to the soldiers. “And I—as the one on whom some of you look unto won’t promise a sure victory.”
   “It’s not I who is the key to the victory of this war. It’s you, it’s us…”
   “I need you to stand firm, and fear not the numbers of the enemy—Yes, they may seem infinite…”
   “But today… We will see a miracle!” Drinn shouted.
   Drinn then turn around and face the approaching enemies, he pulled the broken sword from the sheath and then kneeled on the ground. He thrust the sword on the ground as the blade sunk deep on the earth. And then he pulled it gradually. Inch by inch Drinn pulled the sword from the ground and the point where the sword was broken didn’t come into view. Soon the sword was completely pulled from the ground, it was marvelously restored.  
   “For the freedom of Neriwonda!” Drinn shouted raising the Blade of Quinlan and the Neriwonians started to charge with bursting shouts as they were about to meet the rushing Amarashans.

   It was more or less five hours since the battle started, Bribble and the Three Kitchen Dwarves were galloping northwest towards Amarash. They faintly heard the sound of the roaring dragons, battle cries, and the clashing of metals far-off southeast.
   Fear crept in their hearts as the castle of Amarash came in sight, and when they were about an arrow away from the castle, the huge gate slowly opened as Bribble and the dwarves panicked. Good thing that there were piled rocks a few strides behind them, so they went back and use it for a cover.
   “Another batch of orcs.” whispered Sindri as soon as they were hiding on the rocks.
   “Yes and the last batch were sent just an hour ago.” replied Bribble. “Good thing that we’re far south and that there are only four of us that they didn’t noticed us.”
   “Will you two be silent? And stop gawking.” said Brokk. “They are about to pass us by. If they see us, we will be murdered surely by those orcs. They’re just a few feet from us.”
   “They might as well eat us alive.” added Tuulikki.

   They were sitting silent with their backs leaning on the piled rocks, holding their breath, as the orc army passed them by. It seemed that it was the longest hour they had their whole life for if a single orc accidentally march a few feet on the right, it would be the end of their lives. But fortunately none did, and they breathe freely when the marching orcs were about a hundred yards away.
   They continued on their task as they hastily galloped towards the left side of the castle wall, that they may remain unseen if the gate might open again for another batch of orcs.
   “I guess we’re safer now, are we?” said Bribble.
   “I guess so, for now.” replied Brokk.
   “Why did you think Drinn choose the four of us to do this task?” Bribble inquired.
   “Drinn knew that the four of us are the ones with lesser experience in war. Or shall I say no experience at all.” replied Brokk.
   “He is trying to save us. And although this is a risky mission, it is more possible that we succeed here than to be on the battlefield.”
   “I see…” Bribble said, “And where would that pool might be?”
   “It’s inside of course.” answered Tuulikki.
   “And how are we supposed to enter this huge wall?” Bribble asked looking above the towering wall. “This seems a hundred feet high.”
   “This castle was laid hundred of years ago.” Sindri butted in. “I’m sure there might be a few holes on the wall if we diligently look for, even if the hole is as little as a fist.”
   “And how are we to fit into that hole?” Bribble said.
   “Of course we’ll not!” answered Brokk who seemed annoyed. “Will you use that head of yours even for a moment? We’ll work out on the hole using our short swords.”
   “Sorry then.” Bribble answered with a smile scratching his head.
   “Bribble the young man who never run out of questions!” said Brokk.
   “Enough of it, let’s start looking for that hole. We have no time to waste.” said Sindri.
   It took them another half an hour as they stride at the side of the wall carefully looking for a hole and by chance they found one. The hole was more or less one feet wide and three inches high. But Bribble had to lift Brokk up for the hole was eight feet high on the wall.
   Soon the hole was wide enough even for Bribble, it was an hour of work, and that the short sword was almost conked out. One by one they climbed and passed through at the hole Brokk had made, and as soon as they all succeed entering the wall, they were surprised with a loud roar.
   “An orc has spotted us!” Bribble shouted, as the beast rushed towards them.
   An arrow shrilled and it came from Sindri, yet it was a miss. Another came, still it was a failed shot. He did succeed on his third shot and killed the orc who was then only a few strides in front of them.
   “Good thing that I did practice my arrows once a month!” Sindri remarked.
   “Good thing that the orc was alone.” Tuulikki said. “And that the beast was far from us when it spotted us, or we will fight the orc with our short swords.”
   “I guess the pool is inside the castle.” Brokk said his eyes carefully examining the castle.
   “So to the castle then.” said Sindri.

   They wandered on the unfamiliar terrain for a few minutes and they found the castle’s huge door with six guarding orcs. They were hiding on a slope gawking, carefully examining on how they could pass right through the orcs, or how will the four of them would be able to fight six orcs.
   “Any of you had an idea?” Tuulikki inquired in a whisper.
   “Six to four, we’re of no match to them.” answered Sindri.
   “I have an idea.” Bribble said.
   “We will go back to the dead orc. And I will wear the orcish shirt and helmet. I might pass through with the guarding orcs. What do you think Brokk?”
   “At last, that head of yours work!” Brokk said. “But—we dwarves cannot accompany you. It’s a perilous plan Bribble.”
   “We have no choice Brokk.” Bribble said, his tone determined. “The soldiers in the battlefield are risking their lives, and wouldn’t I?”
   The dwarves were in silent for moment and then Brokk replied “Very well then, I admire your courage Bribble. We will come to aid you if the plan won’t go as we planned.”
   “So then let’s go back to the dead orc.”

   The field of Trollmorloom was a sea of clashing men, orcs, elves, trolls, dwarves, Quariumorans, dark elves, and werewolves, overshadowed by aderyns and dragons fighting the Amarashan dragons and wyverns in the air.
   Zuriel was leading the aderyns riding gallantly on his gold dragon and finally surpassed the blocking foes. With ardent eyes looking far west, he rapidly dashed. He was sure enough that what he spotted was the one he was looking for.
   None could prevent him as he charged, his gold dragon throwing away every rival that tried to delay him. His eyes focused, his sword prepared as he ascend dashing towards west. But not for long, his gold dragon was shaken as it roared deeply for a huge black dragon has bitten its neck. The dragons were clashing in the air as the gold dragon met its match, struggling to get out of the black dragon’s fierce teeth, while Zuriel in a dash cut his harness and jumped off of his dragon soaring with his own wings. He didn’t help his dragon as if he knew well that his dragon could handle itself as he continued darting towards west still determined with his plan.

   His eyes met his rival’s eyes as his feet touched the ground. The sword on his right hand was filled with blood and his appearance showed no fatigue, even for the lengthy hours of clash he’s been through.
   “Excellent my brother, excellent!” said Vibac who was sitting on his throne carried by four huge ogres. “But do you think your gold dragon could survive from my black dragon?” he grinned.
   “They have their own fight and now we will have ours.” Zuriel replied.
   “Really?” said Vibac. “I would appreciate it if you first slay these four ogres carrying my throne. Would you my brother?”
   “It would be my pleasure!” Zuriel answered.
   “You haven’t changed my brother.” said Vibac.
   “Put the throne down!” he commanded the ogress. “And kill my brother for me.”

   Zuriel positioned himself standing firm on his spot waiting for the roaring ogres charging with their huge clubs. The leading ogre hit him with all force as its huge club crushed the ground where he just stood, for Zuriel launched himself into a backward somersault. Immediately, when his feet touched the ground, he bound to strike back, and using his balance wings he was right on the ogre’s shoulder in a blink of an eye. With speed he drove his sword on the back of the ogre, while another ogre hit him and only knocked the crying ogre for quick was Zuriel to avoid the attack. In just a few seconds, he was at the rear of the second ogre and slashed the feet of the oblivious beast, and then followed it with a mortal strike as his sword sunk in the giant ogre’s back.
   Zuriel quickly turned to face the last two ogres rushing towards him, his feet was swift as he charged to meet his foes. As the ogres started to swing its club at him he cut to the right, and fast were his hands with a sidelong swipe lacerating the ogre’s side. As the ogre turned on him, it was stunned for Zuriel was already standing on its right shoulder and with speed he drew a red line on the exposed neck of the ogre. He jumped off of the ogre as it fell dead on the ground leaping on the last ogre and with swift hands the ogre’s sliced head was thrown in the air.
   As soon as he turned his attention on Vibac, an arrow whistled, fast enough that he didn’t avoided it and it hit him on his right shoulder.
   “I’m not surprised.” Zuriel said looking at Vibac who was holding the bow. “You remained a traitor fighter.” Zuriel broke the arrow on his shoulder and threw it behind him.
   “What is an arrow for if I use it not?” answered Vibac with an evil smile as he put the bow down and raised his right hand to pull his sword.
   “This time you will surely die Zuriel!” shouted Vibac as he pulled his broadsword.
   Zuriel knew very well that Vibac intended to shoot him on his right shoulder to weaken his attack. But he was a seasoned warrior trained to handle every situation even to his inconvenience. He held his sword tighter with his hands waiting as Vibac started to charge at him.
   Their swords met as it clanged, and the force of Vibac’s strike almost threw back Zuriel. He felt the tremendous strength of his rival as they exchanged blows, and knowing that his injured shoulder weakened his defense, there was nothing left for him to win but an excellent strategy. No one scored as they exchanged blows, and the fight would have been fair if not for Zuriel’s bleeding shoulder.
   With an excellent strategy and swift moving feet he found an opening and slashed Vibac with all force, yet as he moved to see his supposed to be injured rival, he was upset to see not even a scratch on Vibac’s magnificent armor.
   “Excellent Zuriel, excellent!” said Vibac. “I guess you improved a great deal.”
   The Amarashan leader roared as he attacked and their swords once again clashed. Vibac pressed on furiously, he stabbed and step ahead, whipped his sword out one way then rushed ahead in a short burst as he slashed across. And the brilliant aderyn warrior, his balance perfect as always, let the blade go by and reversed his momentum in the blink of an eye. Then came a blow with a tremendous force coming from Vibac that Zuriel’s sword almost slipped out of his hands, and it did gave the Amarashan leader an opening and his armored boots kicked Zuriel throwing the aderyn a few feet backwards. Zuriel was quick as he returned on his position when an enchantment echoed in the air “Melas ir apgaulė!” and a great energy hit Zuriel on his chest that he was thrown ten feet landing with his back on the ground.
   “Melas ir apgaulė!” Vibac’s spell came again but the wave was blocked with a familiar enchantment.
   “Dievas skydas!” Drinn was standing in front of Zuriel, firm as he held the Blade of Quinlan with his two hands.
   Vibac was bowled over for a moment on seeing the blade restored, yet he quickly hid his astounded countenance to destruct Drinn.
   “The young warrior again, trying to become a hero.” Vibac said. He then set his sword ready and continued “I will kill you this time young warrior!”
   “You should have killed me while you can.” Drinn answered stepping forward progressively.
   “Is your sword tough enough now?” Vibac said with a smirk.
   “We will see in a moment.” Drinn answered.
   They both charged and their swords met once again, it was as if time repeated itself as they exchange blows. But there was a difference, and Vibac knew it well, for Drinn’s movements were more careful and his eyes were calmed.
   Drinn ran right pass Vibac, he veered to some extent as the Amarashan leader tried to shoulder-block him. The blade of Quinlan came in the double, as it scored on Vibac’s side, and when the armor stopped it, Drinn went into a sudden half-turn, then back again slashing higher raking across the impenetrable armor of his foe.
   Vibac came around with a cry, his broadsword cutting the air—but only the air, for Drinn was well out of range.
   Still, Drinn’s smile was short-lived when he saw that the strikes, two solid hits, had done nothing but a few scratch on Vibac’s great black armor.
   Drinn saw Vibac’s eyes widened and with a great roar Vibac leaped ahead, stabbing ferociously with his broadsword.
   He measured Vibac’s attacks and retreats, letting his enemy’s ferocity play out, using less energy than his fuming adversary. He wasn’t trying to wear out Vibac, but somewhat to gain a better insight into his enemy’s turns and movements, that he could better foresee. Yet Vibac, clever and deceitful as he was, seemed to become aware of what Drinn was up to. He stopped from hitting Drinn as he stepped backwards.
   Vibac grinned, a nastier smile and then he laughed. “I have something to tell you young warrior.”
   It took Drinn’s attention and he seemed to fall from Vibac’s trap for Drinn lowered his blade a bit.
   “The princess…” Vibac said.
   “The princess’ body didn’t handle the poison anymore. Her dead body is in the castle.” and then Vibac smiled.
  Drinn burst in anger as he ran towards Vibac, his sword leading, and it was what Vibac planned, to enrage Drinn again. Vibac prevented Drinn’s sword as he snapped his broadsword throwing the Blade of Quinlan aside and the great Amarashan leader slashed slantwise.
   Drinn cried in pain, and with speed he moved backwards. The broadsword penetrated his armor and his belly was bleeding.
   “Did I tell you that you are not the White Warrior!?” Vibac said. “You’re just the same boy I met in Firolwen!”
   “You should have been here earlier. You might have saved the princess.”
   “But don’t you worry. I will bury your dead bodies on the same ground.”
   “It is your identity that Vibac is trying to destroy. For when you lose your identity, you lose everything.” Drinn remembered the word of Quinlan. He then recited another poem.

“The White Warrior”

Strength abundant and a fearless heart
A pinnacle of courage is in my hands
With my ruling sword the enemy flee
All and sundry has waited upon me

But I shall say and I will declare
An infinite strength I do not have
I can’t always be a spring of strength
Sometimes I’m doubtful, depraved, and weak

When I am weak, if I fall I would
Will I let despair to overtake me?
Will I give up, will I give in?
The forces that surrounds me, will I let them defeat me?

To further weakness would I fall?
With my own strength would I still brawl?
But I shall seek the One I know
His unlimited strength to me he will show

With my mouth I shall confess that I am weak
His mighty hands are the ones that keep on sustaining me
His wisdom is my path, and his word is my aid
The White Warrior is none, without Quinlan!

   “Are you losing your mind young man?!” Vibac said.
   Drinn stood firm his eyes fixed on Vibac, his sword steady.
   “We’ll end this fight!” Vibac shouted as he charged.
   Swift was Vibac’s sword as it came across Drinn yet Drinn blocked it with his sword as the great Amarashan leader broadened his eyes, for Vibac’s broadsword was shattered into pieces like a fragile glass. And with speed Drinn drove his sword on Vibac’s chest and it did penetrate on Vibac’s armor.
   “The blade is boundless, Quinlan remained right.” Drinn whispered on his dying rival.
   But as soon as he pulled his sword, two arrows whistled from behind him. And slowly he felt pain coming from his back. He turned around as his eyes started to get dim. He saw another batch of orcs rushing towards him. Then another arrow came and it sunk deep on his chest, he fell down on his knees as his vision get blurred and then he saw a group of aderyns who had came to aid him.
   “Take the Chosen One to a safer place!” commanded an aderyn as Drinn’s sight fades.

   Bribble’s heart was pounding, he succeeded on entering the castle of Amarash, yet he couldn’t find the pool as he wandered around the castle for an hour or two.
   Soon, as he meandered through the huge castle, he heard a faint sound of a female voice. It seemed that the weak sound was a chant and so he followed the direction of the sound as it gradually got louder and louder.
   He came into a huge hall and saw orcs in a long line heading towards a pool. “At last I found it!”  Bribble said to himself.
   “You—go back to the line!” said a deep voice that was almost a growl from behind him. As Bribble turned he saw a huge orc, his heart hammered on his chest for he thought for a moment that the orc has recognized him.
   “I said go back to the line!” the orc shouted as it pushed him on the line.
   Bribble can’t do anything but to follow the orc, still with a pounding heart for he was surrounded with orcs.
   Looking on the long line he saw a lady wearing a long black gown standing on the edge of the pool and he knew that it was Celandine the Sorcerer. Beside her were ten huge orcs holding their bloody scimitars.
   “Your sacrifices are not in vain, for out of you will come out a new batch of army. Soon, whole Neriwonda will be ours!” Celandine said to the orcs who were about to be sacrifice.
   As the orcs roared Bribble ran out of the line towards the edge of the pool so that Celandine would clearly see her. He was on the other side of the pool holding the Amulen Stone ready to drop the stone on the pool.
   “You all stay where you are or I will drop the stone!” Bribble warned as he took his helmet out. His hands were shaking holding the stone tightly. “This is an Amulen Stone!”
   “Stay where you are!” Celandine shouted as his hand signaled at the orcs who were about to charge on Bribble.
   “You are a brave young man.” Celandine said as she walked slowly towards Bribble.
   “You stay where you are sorcerer!” Bribble warned.
   Celandine continued walking slowly towards Bribble as she tried to speak with him “I will surely let you out of here young man.” she said throwing a green dust in the air. “Drop not the stone, you have my word.”
   “What will you gain if you drop the stone?” she continued still throwing green dust in the air. “You will still die.”
   Bribble’s eyes were fixed on Celandine. He became speechless as the sorcerer approached him.
   “Put the stone on the floor…” she whispered as soon as she was standing face to face with Bribble.
   Bribble who seemed mesmerized with the green dust just stared blankly on the sorcerer’s eyes as the sorcerer put her arms around Bribble and kissed him.
   The orcs roared that took the sorcerer’s attention, as she saw that her orcs were dying, it appeared that they were slaughtered by an unseen army.
   “What is happening?!” she said.
   She raised her arms in the air and chanted a spell. “Leisk man pamatyti nematomų būtybių!”
   The castle shook as the spell echoed in the great hall and the invisible army slowly came in sight. There were hundreds of them inside the hall, flying, wearing silver armors. On their right hands were swords and on their left hands were round shields. Their wings were of different colors and their hairs were of green and blue.
   “What are these creatures?” Celandine whispered in amazement mixed with fear, as a loud cry came. The sorcerer turned and saw Bribble who was back into his senses rushing towards her. Bribble pushed the sorcerer and Celandine fell on the black pool, and then, without delay Bribble dropped the Amulen Stone.
   Masses of spirits came out of the pool with shrieking voices while Celandine’s face slowly turned older and her black hair turned gray as the pool slowly swallowed her.
   Bribble turned to the soldiers who aid him and saw that all the orcs inside the hall was already dead.
   “You are safe now young man.” said one soldier who approached Bribble.
   “Thank you, and… and you are a…” inquired Bribble.
   The soldier smiled and said “We are called cloud fairies. Our queen, Queen Esther has sent us to aid the White Warrior. And you don’t have to worry about your friends on the battlefield, our armies aided them, the battle was finish and Neriwonians had won.”
   “Thank Quinlan!” Bribble said as he saw the Three Kitchen Dwarves coming towards him.