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The Elven Bride (part six)

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The Elven Bride and Newborn Prince
(Part Seven)
By Wyatt Nelson


    Kasa'Kerrie stood crouched behind a large rock, her lavender eyes focused on the cave about sixteen feet away, the entrance hidden by underbrush. They only knew it was there because they happened to see one of the orange robed man enter the cave hours before. If they hadn't stopped to eat a quick meal, they would have passed it completely, without knowing it was right there.
    Now after observing it for a while, Inwae went to have a closer look. Her quietly snuck through the bushes and into the cave, and that had been the last Kasa'Kerrie had saw of him. An hour had passed with no sign if activity, and Kasa'Kerrie was beginning to worry.
    But as a few more minutes passed, the bushes began to move again, and Inwae emerged from the secret cave entrance. He took a quick, round about way to her hiding place, just in case unseen eyes were observing him. Kasa'Kerrie held her patience in check, knowing he was just doing as he had been trained. The last thing a guard did was lead his enemies straight to his princess. But Kasa'Kerrie was anxious to know what he had saw in the cave.
    "There's too many to take on with just us," Inwae reported in a whispered tone. "I counted at least forty in there, probably more. The cave system is pretty straight forward, you go into the entrance and along a descending path, and then as you get farther underground, it opens into a large space that looks like the main chamber. There's a huge statue of a tall creature with horns on it's head and wings on it's back, and it looked like they were praying to it, and getting ready for some type of ceremony." He paused and hesitated before adding, "I...I din't see any scenes of the prince, but I couldn't go very far into the large chamber without being seen. It looked like there were other rooms down there though. I saw some wooden doors and a couple different corridors."
    Kasa'Kerrie bit his lip and stared intently at the cave, as if by doing that she could see right through the stone to prince Norai'ah. Inwae saw her worried look, and he said softly,
    "We'll think of a plan tonight, but we may have to go back and regroup with the others before we do anything. As I said, there's just too many of them." He reminded her, a large part of him afraid that she would do something rash.
    They moved back to the place where they had hidden their horses, and tried to think of a plan that would allow them to get Norai'ah back without having to fight. What they wanted with him, Kasa'Kerrie did not know, but she didn't like the look of these priest-like figures, their eyes held a darkness within that sent shivers down her spine. She had only seen one of them, but that had been enough to know for certain that her instincts had been right since the beginning. These were not good people, and her worry for the prince only increased.
    They stayed up all not trying to think of a plan, but by morning they still had not come up with out, so they began to disguss their next move.
    "I think we should head back and regroup with the others." Inwae said hesitantly, knowing that Kasa'Kerrie would not like this suggestion. "They can't be all that far away, at most they're at the town. Once we have more men, we can decide what to do from there." Kasa'Kerrie thought about it and finally agreed. So they saddled their horses and started back toward town, Kasa'Kerrie constantly looking over her shoulder to where she knew the cave to be, and where she knew that young, Norai'ah was waiting for her.
    "I'll be back soon." She whispered to the wind, her words unheard except by her own ears. "Until then be brave and don't worry, I will rescue you and bring you home." Reluctantly, she turned away and faced forward. She froze, and Inwae suddenly stopped as well. In front of them, was a large group of people, almost sixty all together. A mix of elves and humans making their way toward them. Kasa'Kerrie and Inwae stood side by side, stunned.
    "H...How?" Inwae managed to breath. "Th...that's king Morann in the lead, but how did he?" A slow smile started to spread across Kasa'Kerrie's face.
    "Either he's looking for me, or more likely they somehow discovered the prince's location!" And she kicked her horse into a run, racing down the hill at a fast gallop to meet with the on rushing elves and humans!
*     *     *
    King Mathian had said it would take at least four days to reach their destination. Morann had done it in two and a half, setting a fast pace and traveling on through the night. They had stopped and rested briefly at Gursdel, where they had met up with Kasa'Kerrie's group of guards; And then they had set out together.
    And when Morann saw his daughter running down the hill to meet them, he couldn't suppress a smile from breaking out across his face, even though he was furious at her for rushing off on her own. At least now he knew that she was safe and sound! However, the touching family reunion was postponed as they each told their stories of all they had learned.
    "Hmm...interesting..." Morann mused aloud. "But we can't rush into this recklessly. We have a general layout, but no idea where the prince is being kept, if we move in without a plan, then there's a chance he'll be dragged into this!"
    "Um...your highness?" Came a hesitant voice. Kasa'Kerrie and her father turned to face, Inwae. "I believe I have an idea, now that there's more men on our side." Morann raised his eyebrows expectantly.
    "Go ahead, Inwae, let's hear your idea." Kasa'Kerrie urged him.
    "Well, the main tunnel is only wide enough for two people to walk abreast, but if we all can managed to fit sneak in, and then go in waves, I think we stand a chance. The first four or five waves immediately confront the enemy, and the sixth wave bypasses the main fighting and looks for the prince." He finished and looked at them nervously. He would have never dared to voice an opinion to royalty, but the situation was desperate, and they had to move quickly.
    "Hmm..."Morann said after thinking it over for a while. "It could work. We would have the advantage with a surprise attack, and if our main body could keep the priests busy, well a few managed to get around them, then we would have a chance of getting Norai'ah out at least. I can't think of a better plan, so we'll have to go with this!" And with that they started off toward the cave again.

    Tsurok, the head priest of the Flame Rite order, surveyed his monks with dark, heavy lidded eyes. Everything was being prepared for the coming of their god, soon he would be awakened with the flesh sacrifice of the chosen boy! Now, all the priests of their order were kept underground, getting ready for the summoning. No one was permitted to leave until it was complete.
    Suddenly, a cry of alarm was heard, and Tsurok spun around, his large double bladed ax in hand! Elves and humans were pouring into the cave, all with weapons drawn, immediately going for his priests and cutting them down without mercy!
    "We're being invaded!" Tsurok cried angrily. "Kill them! Kill the heathens! Before the ruin the ritual!" Tsurok raised his axe and with a mighty sweep, felled the charging soldier lost instantly!
    It was confusion and chaos in the underground shrine, Kasa'Kerrie had been placed at the back of the large group of guards, partly by her own choice, partly because her father wanted her out of the main fight. She would stay back as the others kept the Flame Rites busy, and use the shadows as cover as she searched for prince Norai'ah with nine others.
    Her lavender eyes had scanned the cavern quickly, taking in everything from the battles, to the layout of thee cave, the large statue in the center, and the row of doors at the far wall. She went straight for the doors, unseen by the mass of monks.
    The fight was not going in his favor Tsurok could see, his people had been caught unaware and surprised and they fell easy prey to the merciless guardsmen one after another! He cursed violently. He had expected some kind of retaliation from the king of Delguard, but he hadn't expected it so soon! He had been trusting in his god he help him when the time came, but now he was alone!
    Tsurok cursed again, and turned to flee, when his sharp black eyes caught sight of movement in the shadows. A grim smile twisted his features as an idea struck him, and he suddenly started running for one of the rough wooden doors in the back, where the sacrifice was being kept!
    Kasa'Kerrie saw the large man with the ax running toward the doors and the blood in her veins froze, as she understood he was going for Norai'ah! Not caring if she were seen anymore or not, she straightened and ran, trying to cut him off! She was faster, but the priest had a head start, and his hand was already on the doorknob when Kasa'Kerrie lashed out at him with a high kick that he narrowly dodged!
    Tsurok rolled to the side as he heard the elf approach, and cursed as he came up in a crouch position with his ax raised to block the next attack! But this time he missed his timing as Kasa'Kerrie's booted foot slammed into the side of his face, sending him sprawling with a grunt of pain!
    Kasa'Kerrie turned and without hesitating opened the door and stepped inside. The cries of a baby greeted her, filling her with a brief sense of relief that he was still alive! The room was small, with a single cradle against the far wall. Kasa'Kerrie was beside the crib in an instant, lifting the crying prince into her arms and starting for the door.
    Except the priest had regained his senses from her kick earlier, and now he was blocking the exit, blood running down the side of his face as he half grinned and half snarled at her!
    "Give me the child!" She cried, lunging at her with his ax! Kasa'Kerrie's left hand instinctively went to her concealed dagger, managing to get it up in time to block the downward sweep of the powerful ax! But the force of the blow forced her to her knees, and she though her arm would break! But she clutched the child close to her protectively, and scowled up at the priest defiantly! Tsurok raised his ax again, and prepared for a last downward strike, and this time Kasa'Kerrie know she wouldn't be able to block it!
    Instantly, she spun the dagger in her hand, so that the blade was facing her instead, and then she lashed out, aiming for the tendons in the priest's legs! The sharp dagger tore through fabric and flesh, biting deep into the back of the knee and cleanly slicing through the first tendon! Tsurok cried out in pain, falling to his knees and dropping his ax holding his leg tight in both hands!
    Kasa'Kerrie was on her feet in an instant, and this time she kicked the prest full in the face, his nose breaking under her boot as he fell to the floor, unconscious! She did not take the time to finish him, instead she ran from the room, with the prince held close. The fighting was still going outside, although most of the priests had fallen and few were left alive. Those that live fled, trying to get out of the cave in a panic, but the guardsmen had the entrance to the tunnel secured.
    She took a few steps toward the cave tunnel, but realized something was wrong. The ground was shaking, and at first she thought it was caused by all the noise and the running people, but it was getting stronger, and pieces of the ceiling overhead were starting to come loose! He heart was gripped with fear as she realized what had happened. Similar things happened in the north all the time. All the loud noise of weapons banging together, of people shouting and screaming, of running about, had reverberated around the dome shaped cavern so much that it had started a cave it!
    Slowly, the fighting ceased as people became aware of their impending danger as large pieces of rock started crashing down around them! The shaking was worse then ever now, and Kasa'Kerrie hesitated no longer, sheathing her blade she hugged the baby Prince close and started for the tunnel that lead outside!
    She was shoved back though and forced away from the exit as the monks that were still alive, fought teeth and nail to be the first ones out!
    "Kasa'Kerrie!" The sound of her father's was was faint of the falling rocks, but she heard it tried to reply.
    "Here!" She shouted with all her strength. "I have the prince! Get everyone out of here, now!" She wasn't sure he had heard her but a second letter, she heard another shout over the deafening noise.
    "Every--line up! Don't—and--for the tunnel!" It was her father's voice again, but the noise drowned him out, and she could no longer see much through the thick cloud of rock dust in the air, so all she could do was pray she was heading in the right direction!
    "Kasa'Kerrie! Over--" Kasa'Kerrie glanced up and through the debris saw her father standing at the mouth of a dark hole that she knew must be the exit. She almost reached him, could almost have touched him, when a large piece of the ceiling fell in front of her, sending up a thick cloud of dust right in front of her and blocking her way!
    "Kasa'Kerrie!" King Morann yelled as he saw his daughter disappear right before his eyes! He tried to go back into th cavern, but strong hands pulled him back, dragging him down the tunnel!
    "No!" He shouted. "Let me go! I order you! I have to save her!" He tried to lash out at the people holding him, but a sharp blow to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.
    King Morann regained consciousness by a smile fire, night had fallen and the moon over head shone down brightly upon the group of elves and humans.
    "Your highness." A voice said off to his left, and Morann looked to see his captain of the guard, sitting down on a rock next to him. "It's good to see you awake."
    "My daughter?" Morann asked, sitting up immediately. Slowly, after a brief moment of hesitation, the captain shook his head.
    "I'm sorry." He said, his features twisted in pain. "We did all we could. I even sent some men back down to try and clear some of the rock, but it was useless." The king's face turned ashen, and he placed his head in his hands.
    "I was so close!" He cried. "If a had taken just one step, I could have reached out a grabbed her!" The captain of the guard's face darkened.
    "And then you both would be dead your highness." He said with an expressionless voice. "And what would have happened to the rest of your family if you had died?"
    "I could have saved her!" Morann insisted.
    "No."The captain said quietly. "It was already too late, you couldn't have done anything to change the outcome." Morann looked up, about to argue, his face angry and etched with lines of grief. But the he show his own pain reflected in the captain's face, and as he looked around, he saw it in the eyes of all his men sitting around the campfire.
    "Tomorrow," The captain spoke again, just as softly. "We'll head back to Gursdel, get some more men and some tools and started to clear some of the rock, so that at least we can properly bury the bodies."
    "Bodies?" Morann asked, confused. The captain looked at him, surprised.
    "She had the prince with her." Was all he said, and Morann's already grave face turned paler still. He looked into the fire with blank, unseeing eyes. Two heirs dead, this couldn't be more of a tragedy if the earth suddenly opened up and swallowed him too.
*     *     *
Part Six. Part five [link] Part four [link] Part three [link] Part two [link] First Part [link]
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