Teoni, Marlee, and Thessa made their way quickly to the gateway of the arena. Thessa looked back to see Fia blink out. “Who would have thought.” She said, “The White Mage to the rescue.”
Chapter 25: The Last Stand
Tanyth’s army poured over the hill on the north side of the arena. The two Sanquinators had been busy and the army they had built was much larger than Thessa had anticipated. In fact, something had been able to hide much of the force from her senses. They were a frightening lot, much more so than her own force. They were a horde of mindless undead bent on the destruction of the arena gates and anyone who got in their way. Thessa sent her forces to intercept them, and if all goes well, they would reach them before the horde would breach the arena gates or walls, which were vulnerable due to renovations. Since the vegetation had not yet been cleared completely away from the walls, Teoni could use it to trap some of the marauders as they passed by the vine-covered walls. The arena proper was enormous, but Tanyth was not interested in conquering it. He was interested in getting to the Arsenal of the Way and the Earth Chamber, and Thessa knew it. She diverted some of her army to block Tanyth’s route into the wooded area where Marlee and the dryads were housed.
“Sarren, get somewhere safe. Since you are a cat, you can hide.” Sarren jumped down from a wooden table and disappeared into the wooded area where the Earth Chamber was located. Marlee found Thessa and gave her one of the special weapons from the Arsenal of the Way. It was a long shaft with a curved blade on the end, slightly reminiscent of a scythe, but the blade was curved and not attached at a right angle. “What is this?”
“I don’t know. It was in the weapons rack marked for the Black Mage. I thought maybe you knew how to use it.”
“I do not. I am not even sure how I am supposed to hold it. I don’t think I could even swing it.”
“Maybe it’s enough just to look imposing.”
“What defenses does this place have?”
“The dryads told me a few things, but the Tourney master has all the knowledge and some defenses will only work for him. He didn’t expect for me to fend off an attack. He has not gotten around to explaining how things work around here either. At least, he hasn’t explained what to do in case of a full scale attack.”
“I hope Fia can find him and get him back here in time.”
“Me too.” Marlee agreed.
The gate began to rock on its wooden hinges and one finally popped off, making the huge door sag. Thessa’s small band of blood feeders waited for the breach. They all had swords or pears or whatever was handy.
“Marlee, it’s you they want. Why don’t you hide in the Earth Chamber?” Thessa suggested.
“Good idea.” Marlee agreed.
“What, that’s it. They are after you. They don’t know Teoni is here. If we show that Teoni is here, maybe that will stop the attack. Why would they try to get you for leverage if the Green Mage is here?”
Teoni joined them behind Thessa, “I don’t think that matters to them at this point. Whether I am here or not, they will not stop until they get Marlee and use my love for her against me.”
“Oh, so now you love me?” Marlee asked.
“What are you talking about?” Teoni asked
“As if you didn’t know. You are the reason I’m here and you are the Green Mage.”
“Oh my gods! Are you really going to bring this up now, here?”
“We replaced the book you stole. I know you knew we would trade places, but still!”
Teoni let her sword fall, “Marlee, you know I would make the better mage and you the better Tourney Master. I did us both a favor.”
Whatever Marlee was about to say, it got cut off by the doors crashing down and the horde rushing through. Thessa’s forces rushed in and clashed with Tanyth’s army.
“Marlee, get to the Earth Chamber!” Thessa told her. She ran back through the wooded area.
Sarren found Tanyth at the rear of his army with Sir Danton and Gaelyn. She ran up to the dark elf and meowed.
“Ah, yes, the cat. You played your part well. Cassany is pleased. She has one last task for you before you are truly free and human again. This battle will end with the Black Mage finally excepting her place and destroying all the undead, and taking their power. She has had the ability all the while. She just doesn’t realize it yet, or maybe she does and is just in denial. Regardless, Cassany still wants the poison.” He reached into his armor and produced a dagger. With a prick of this enchanted dagger, you shall be returned to a human. He poked the cat with the dagger and Sarren reformed into her human form. “Take this dagger.” Sarren took the dagger. “You know what you need to do?”
“Yes, I believe I do.”
“Careful, don’t get killed in the heat of the battle trying to find you way back into the arena walls.” He grinned unnaturally. “Go on, you can do it. You can make the poison for Cassany.”
“I will be careful.” Sarren said, then she turned and ran excitedly toward the gates.
Tanyth stared into Gaelyn’s eyes. “It’s your turn to do your part, friend.” Gaelyn nodded. “Go to her now.” Gaelyn bounded off for the gate toward Thessa.
Thessa’s forces were keeping the horde at bay, but it was too easy. It seemed like Tanyth’s blood feeders were weaker than hers and almost let hers kill them. Either Thessa’s criminal element was paying off, or Tanyth’s army was letting Thessa win. Something was not right. She glanced at Teoni, who was nearby wrapping members of the horde in strong
