The Jewel of Power by Alice G Bjornstedt

Author:Alice G Bjornstedt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alice G. Bjornstedt
Published: 2022-03-30T23:53:35+00:00

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19

Battle on the Banks

Deathcap froze, the Knife of Destruction half drawn in his hand, as he stared in shock at the Serventiri. There were close to fifty of them, staring across the river with their hollow blue eyes. Their gazes were fixed on the bundle in Morel’s pocket.

The sight of them sent chills down Jarus’ spine. He knew, even in his brief experience, that there were far too many to fight. They were drastically outnumbered.

Norrin, who stood in the shallow water of the river, broke the silence. Blasting a ray of sparks at Deathcap’s troops, he turned to Morel. “Go now – up the cliffs,” he ordered.

Morel, for once, didn’t argue – she stared in shock and horror at the host of Serventiri. Jarus stumbled towards Rygal, who had also started up the path. Then he turned back. “Wait – Neely!”

Morel ran into him, and pushed him forward. “Jarus, go – they’re coming – ”

“Neely’s hurt!” Jarus shouted at her, swatting her paws away.

“I’ll help her! You go, now!” Morel yelled at him, turning and jogging into the underbrush. Jarus watched her for a moment, then ran up the path. He risked a glance across the river, some twenty yards away. In silent procession, the Serventiri stepped into the chest-high waters, some swaying slightly with the current, but walking steadily towards them.

Jarus reached Maya and Porcini, who had both stopped to stare in awe and terror at the Serventiri, who had by now reached the opposite. “Hurry – we've got to run,” Jarus stammered.

Maya looked at him, wide-eyed as she remembered something. “Jarus, did we get the Knife? Where’s Deathcap?”

Jarus turned. The shore behind them had erupted in chaos. Deathcap was shouting orders to his soldiers, most of whom had turned to flee at the sight of the Serventiri. The Brownae prince had whipped out the Knife and lowered it at the approaching warriors, shouting a spell –

“Raeortar!” he barked. The Serventiri stumbled as though hit with an invisible force. The spell didn’t stop them for long, and they surged forward again, rising out of the river, dripping and glinting in the sunlight.

Maya and Porcini ran on up the treacherous trail, keeping their backs as close to the cliff wall as possible. Below them, the Rummeryn churned gradually into a brown froth, a good fifteen foot drop into the roiling water. The sight made Jarus dizzy, and he fell back against the rock.

Behind him, he saw Rygal limping up the path, gripping his sword. Behind Rygal, Morel and Neely had appeared. Neely was staggering after Morel – one of her wings trailed on the ground behind her, twisted at an odd angle. Norrin brought up the rear, covering their retreat. There was little need for this – Deathcap’s warriors were now engaged in fighting the Serventiri.

If they could slip away from the battle before the Serventiri defeated Deathcap…

The thought had barely crossed Jarus’ mind when he saw Deathcap send a second blast at the Serventiri with the Knife, then turn and shout at his warriors to retreat.

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