Temple of the Storm: The Complete Series by Robbie Ballew & Stephen Landry

Author:Robbie Ballew & Stephen Landry [Ballew, Robbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Guiding Thread
Published: 2021-08-20T22:00:00+00:00

Tracking the xaxylin turned out to be a lot easier than I had anticipated. Within a few hours, we were perched near its nest, waiting to ambush it as soon as it returned. The nest was built into a large crater that must have been formed from an asteroid many thousands of years earlier, in the days when the goblins fell from the moons.

There were no eggs in the nest; whether because it wasn’t mating season or there simply weren’t any mates to be found I couldn’t be sure.

It wasn’t long before we could hear the creature approaching. The wind from its massive wings shook the forest, and its loud cries echoed through the trees. I couldn’t help but wonder how these two elves with meager equipment hoped to ensnare such a beast. As soon as the xaxylin landed, I found my answer.

Jamon set down his crossbow -- which had been trained on me this entire time -- and they both stepped out from their hiding spots and raised their hands toward the creature. They started chanting in an ancient language, and red beams of light emerged from their hands. They were using magic!

I rushed out behind them and shouted in the language of the xaxylin, “Run!”

All fauns had the ability to speak and understand the tongues of all living creatures. At that moment I was glad I could communicate with the creature without the elves understanding.

The xaxylin tried to take off, but the elves’ magic bonds had already started weaving together to form a glowing red net over her wings, and pinned her down to the ground.

“She’s trying to speak to it!” Terrick cried.

“Quiet, you!” Jamon shouted. They were both straining to keep control of their spell, but I knew it would only be a matter of time before the incantation would be complete and they would be free to attack.

“Free me!” the xaxylin cried in her native tongue.

“I can’t break their magic,” I replied.

The massive beast bent her head down and looked me square in the eye, “Daughter of Fennig, that is not the release I seek.”

I glanced down at the crossbow sitting open on the ground. No, I couldn’t. “I would kill these elves rather than bring harm to you!”

“And betray the faun’s ancient creed to protect life?”

“Are their lives more valuable than yours?” I asked.

“My time has come, young one,” she replied. “I am the last of my kind, there is nothing left for me here.”

“Why should I destroy your life, and let these monsters remain?”

“The world belongs to such as them now. There is no room for my kind.”

I could feel tears streaming down my face. I wasn’t sure I had the strength to do what she was asking me to do. “The world once made room for beauty,” I said.

“That world is dead,” she replied. “It is time for me to join my people beyond.”

The trappers’ net was almost enclosed around her, and I knew I had no choice but to act. I dove for the crossbow, swooped it up, and landed on one knee, ready to shoot.

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