"Elfling Part Three" by Rachel N. LeBeane

Chapter 3

I stared as Kalen's dark eyes rolled back and the heaving of his chest slowed." No no no no no no...." I cried, pressing my hands against the hole in his chest. Tears scalded my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

Smokey's hands covered mine." You need to find a way to get Cassandra here. If you can, Summon my father. He might bring her here." He said. I stared at the blood covering my hands."Rydia!" Smokey lightly slapped my face and I jerked, staring up at him.

"It takes a lot to kill a demon, Elfling. Kalen is still alive, but we need a Healer if he's to live." He spoke slowly, always keeping pressure on Kalen's chest.

"Send a message on the wind to Dur Ra Karashinana's ear. His son is alive and we need the Healer here." I said, raising my hands. Power ran down my arms and out the window, where the wind carried it away. I yanked the necklace from around my neck and place it over Smokey's bloody hands." Goddess, now would be a nice time to prove you care." I prayed.

Warm light flared around the necklace for a second, then faded. "He's so pale, Smokey..." I choked back a sob and knelt, resting my head on Smokey's shoulder.

"I know, Elfling. It doesn't feel good to be helpless when someone you love is hurt." He said. I felt heat rise up in my face and looked up into his deep blue eyes.

"Do you think he heard me? Say the I love him, I mean?" I asked softly. Smokey shook his head." That's good. Why couldn't I have learned Healing magic instead of Summoning magic?" I asked.

"Cassandra will come. Nothing would stop her from doing The Goddess's will." Smokey said confidently. I had a sudden, terrible thought and jumped to my feet." Elfling?"

"Your father hates Kalen! He'll know who is injured and refuse to bring Cassandra because it'll be the excuse he needs to raise me himself!" I cried. Smokey swore, then looked down at his friend.

"Rydia, I'll have to get Cassandra. I want you to hold your hands over Kalen's wound, keeping up the pressure. If he wakes, keep him calm. I'll be right back." He said, standing. I fell to my knees and pressed my hands to Kalen's chest once more.

Smokey ran to the window and jumped out, white cloak billowing about him. It shimmered, then turned to white wings and he flew off with a deafening roar. Tears ran down my face and dripped onto Kalen's chest.

"Left you all alone, did he? That's fine for me." I twisted at the waist and stared at the demon who walked in. It was the same one who'd let me and Kalen into the room, and he looked very happy to find me unguarded.

"Master said that Melkin wants you, but he didn't say anything about you being whole when you got there." he said, licking his chapped lips with a black tounge. I shuddered and looked about for something to use as a weapon. Nothing was close enough for me to reach without using both hands.

"Please, just go." I begged, watching as he slowly stalked in. I leaned protectively over Kalen's body." Really, you do not want to be here when Smokey gets back." I warned. He laughed.

"I won't be, and neither will you. I only wish I could see what that dragon will look like when the demon realizes that the dragon left you alone in a castle filled with demons." He said. I frowned and tried to process that. By the time I got it, he was right on top of me.

" A few marks won't matter to Melkin." He muttered, reaching a clawed hand for me. The necklace I'd put over Kalen blazed, surrounding us with light. The demon's flesh smoked when the light touched him and he ran, squealing like a pig. Serves him right."Piggy."I muttered.

"Rydia..."I looked down into Kalen's dark eyes and saw them alight with laughter."I..." He trailed off and coughed, blood running from his mouth. I made soothing sounds.

"Shh, now, don't try to talk. Smokey's gone to get Cassandra. She'll fix you." I said, raising a hand to brush over his dark, silky hair. He took a shuddering breath and shook his head weakly.

"Won't work....holy magic...can't...help a....a demon." He struggled to say. I glared at him.

"It will if you be quiet and quit using up your strength. The Goddess has already protected you." I pointed out. He lifted one hand and touched the necklace laying over my hands. Then he squeezed and relaxed. A commotion at the window had me turning.

"Rydia? Is he still alive?" Cassandra asked as she rushed over. Smokey followed a short while later.

"He's awake enough to annoy me." I said." Never thought I'd be grateful for that." Smokey snorted. I noticed that his wounds were gone and that his hair was damp. I wish Kalen could be healed like that.

Cassandra knelt by me and placed her hands over the wound. I sat back and tried to wipe Kalen's blood off." It's not working like it should..." Cassandra muttered. I put a hand at my throat." I need someone who has a strong connection to him..."

"Me." I said." What do you need me to do?" I asked. She opened her eyes and sat back, chewing on her lip." Cassandra?"

"I've never healed a person threw another before, but I guess I can do it. Put your hands over his wounds and think about the memories you have of Kalen. I'll try to heal him threw you." She said, putting her hands on my shoulders.

Closing my eyes, I thought of the first time I'd ever met Kalen. We'd been running away from the destruction of my home, and Sissy had killed herself for him. He'd saved me despite his wishes, and then had found a safe place for me to grow up.

I thought about the time he'd taught me to swim, to climb, to talk to animals...to dance..."That's it, Rydia...happy memories are the best." Cassandra muttered. I nodded and kept on reliving all the happy times.

My happiest moment with Kalen was when I was still very young. He'd taken me to the mountains, and we were sliding down one on a strip of bark. The bark would sail over a canyon and Kalen would swoop me up and leap into the air. We'd laugh so hard it would hurt, and then do it again.

"Done." Cassandra said, letting go of my shoulders. I sat back and looked at Kalen. The only visible sign of his brush with death was a pale white line over his heart where the knife had entered him. Cassandra was shaking and had to be helped to her feet. Kalen was asleep.

"Will he really be alright?" I asked Smokey when he bent and lifted Kalen over one shoulder. Smokey drew me against him.

"He'll be very weak for a while, but I promise you he'll live." he said, kissing the top of my head."He's the worst patient you'll ever meet, and you'll want to stab him all over again."

I fell to the ground and wept.

~*~

I gradually became aware of things. The first thing I was aware of was a cool rag being passed over my body, which was hotter than it should've been, even with the higher body temperature of a demon.

Then I heard the soft singing of an elf, the only music that could move me. I recognized the voice as Rydia's and struggled to reach her. Her voice was very sad. Why wasn't Smokey comforting her?

"I think he's waking up! Cassandra!" Rydia's shout was a warped burst of sound, more distant than the singing. I was fading again, going back into the healing darkness of unconsciousness. Cool hands gripped my arm, almost desperately.

"We're losing him again, Rydia. Keep singing. I think you're summoning his mind back to his body." That deep, melodic voice was Smokey. Almost instantly, the beautiful song started again. I felt light, like I was floating back to the singer. Warmth filled me.

My eyes blinked open, trying to adjust to the light. I first saw Cassandra leaning over me, her lined face worn and showing the signs of fatigue. Then she sat back and Rydia bent over me. I reached up and touched her auburn hair."Elfling." I croaked. Tears welled up in her eyes and she buried her head against my throat, crying.

"How come you always seem to make her cry?" I looked over and saw Smokey leaning against a tree, smiling in relief. I was starting to feel very uncomfortable and quickly realized why.

"I must of been hurt bad for you to be worried, Akorishanrana. What happened? I only remember Kahn grabbing a knife and coming for me." I said, trying to remember, but getting nothing. Rydia pulled back and smoothed my long hair back.

"Nothing much after that, Kalen. You killed Kahn, but he managed to stab you in the heart. I had to get Cassandra. We were barely able to save you even with Rydia's help. You may thank my father that you're alive." Smokey said. My eyes widened.

"Karashinana saved MY life? Impossible." I said softly, aware that my body was weak and needed to heal. I didn't want to over exert myself and undo all Cassandra and Rydia's hard work.

"We managed to get you out of the tower without difficulty, but then Kahn's servants found his body and came after us. We landed hard and your wound started bleeding again, so Cassandra was forced to heal you again, leaving her and Rydia vulnerable. My father...well, I think a good twelve acres of forest are now charcoal." Smokey said, his blue eyes alight with humor.

"Really? Thats very reassuring, Akorishanrana. Likely it was me he was trying to burn to a crisp and missed because of the demons swarming around you." I said, trying to turn to ease the ache in my wings.

Rydia instantly put her hands on my shoulders, easily restraining me. I hated how weak I was."You mustn't move, Kalen. You're wounded." She said. I started to laugh, then coughed.

"I think I know that Rydia, but thanks. I just need to move. My wings are being crushed." I said. Smokey instantly shoved away from the door and held his pale hand out to me. I grabbed it and he hauled me up into a sitting position easily. His eyes laughed at me.

"You're enjoying being stronger than me way to much, Smokey. It won't last long, so enjoy for awhile." I said, flaring out my wings and looking around. I frowned when I didn't recognize the white marble building we were in." Where are we?"

"I was wondering when you would notice. We're in the Temple of The Goddess, Kalen. You're inside a holy place and you're not struck dead or smoking." Smokey said, holding his arms out wide."Doesn't it feel great to be inside a temple for once?"

"But...how?" I asked, feeling way out of my depth. Rydia smiled and lifted something from my chest. I looked down and saw a golden pendant resting on a gold chain in her palm. She placed it back against my skin and the familiar burning didn't come.

"You look shocked." Rydia said, smiling. I saw the shadows under her eyes and caught her hand when she would've pulled away."Kalen?"

"What's bothering you, Rydia. I know what that look in your eyes means. Something has upset you. Tell me." I demanded. She tried to smile, then she just pressed her face against my hand and cried."Rydia!"

"You almost died, Kalen! Even with all our help, you were slipping away. Just when we thought we'd healed you, something would happen and you'd start to slip away again. It took forever for Smokey to figure out that there was a poison at work within your body. Even then..." She broke off on a sob.

I sighed and pulled her down onto my lap. She resisted being pulled onto my shoulder, but I knew how to manipulate her. I had her against my shoulder before she could protest. "But I didn't die, Rydia. I'm healing. A few more days, and I'll take you to Mystiva."

"No! There is no way I'm staying with giant lizards when your manic brothers are out to kill you." She said, bolting upright in my arms. I winced when she bumped my wound and she instantly calmed down.

"Don't insult Smokey, Elfling, and it's my decision. I'm your protector. My manic brothers are the very reason you're going to go to Mystiva. They can't get you there even if I somehow fail to stop Karn and Karsh." I said, brushing her hair back from her face gently.

"Kalen, Kahn said that Melkin was the one who released him from the underworld. How is that possible?" Smokey asked, crouching in front of me and pulling Rydia away. I sighed and let her go. Cassandra instantly moved to check on me.

"There is only one way Melkin could've escaped death, but I don't know if he would've that to happen to him, not if he was sane. Still, I can find out easily enough." I took a deep breath and began to calm my mind."Smokey, if I start to bleed or anything like that, wake me from the trance." I said, closing my eyes.

The real world faded away and the world of magic rose up to take its place. I reached deep inside my soul and grabbed my magic. In my mind, I pictured it as a pool of black tar, sick and unclean. As always, the monster I am tried to break free of my hold. I fought him back and gripped the magic firmly, sending tendrils out to search for another Dark Priest or something worse than that.

Soon, I felt a weak challenge on my mind and I almost laughed aloud. Karn was trying to push his power against my much greater strength. I shoved back and sent him flying back into the real world. Something foul moved in the darkness then, reaching for me. I instantly shielded myself and waited. Whatever was coming was more powerful than Karn. Much more powerful.

Very good. It is so pleasing to see that you remember some of the things you were taught. I always thought some of it would stick and show someday, if I waited long enough. The voice that hissed out of the darkness was familiar to me and I felt my heart freeze. My oldest and most dangerous brother was awakening, but how?

Its a simple answer, Kalen, if only you look in the right place. But I think you already know that. You just don't want to face it, do you? Being to close to such...power... always made you ill. I find it intoxicating.

"Melkin has done the unforgivable, hasn't he Karsh? He's become a Lich and taken possession of a body that once belonged to a normal creature of this Earth. He's of the walking dead now, brother! Surly you don't follow him?" I cried, straining to see him in the fog that was gathering.

Funny you would consider a demon a creature of this Earth, as much as you hate our kind. And of course I don't follow him. I never follow anybody but myself!

"Then...how did he get Kahn out of the Underworld? Only you could've given the order that would overrule my word. Did you let him out just to spite me?"

We may of never seen eye to eye, my brother, but you helped me to keep order in this world when no order should exist. For that, I respect you. I would never do anything just to spite you. But be that as it may, you stand in my way...in OUR way. There was a slight pause. Have you gotten it figured out yet? Melkin didn't do the unforgivable, Kalen...I did.

"You! You summoned him back from Hael and made him a Lich? He possesses you? Why would you do such a thing, Karsh? The man is evil!" I cried, wrapping my power tighter around me like a blanket. I was all to aware that my power was out-classed.

Why do you think? He has much knowledge of the darkest spells, spells that you would never utter. Once your dead, I will need a new Dark Priest to use. Karn will be trained in your stead. But also, other than knowledge, is power. I summoned him for power. I grew weary of my constant boredom, so I want to see the world above razed to the ground and all that you protect trembling at my feet.

"Rydia...You will not touch her, not while I have breath left in my body. Even if you somehow manage to defeat me, she will not be left alone. Smokey will guard her with his life as well. And you will never live if you slay the Prince of Dragons!" I shouted.

His laugh drifted out of the thick fog and wrapped around me. I felt like I was choking and tried to back away and retreat to my body. Oh, I think not, Kalen. You have so many unique powers that Karn could use so much better than you...

Dark power rushed around me, ripping threw the shields I'd thrown up in a pathetic attempt to protect myself. I felt Karsh/Melkin reaching to find my power and simply shut down my mind and body, letting my soul go. He screamed as it drifted away, fading from his reach. It was dangerous, because I had no power to wake myself from the trance now. I hope Smokey could.

If this is how you wish it to be, then it will be so. Your soul will be lost forever and the elf left without guidance... wonderful. It is a simple thing to keep a soul from hearing its summons back...

~*~

I stared at Kalen, watching closely as his body swayed from side to side. He suddenly fell onto his side, face going white and sweat beading his forehead. I caught him, almost falling as I bared his full weight for a few moments. Then Smokey was there, holding his friend up.

"Whats wrong? Is he alright? Should we wake him?" I asked, my hands trembling. To hide them, I wrapped my hands in Kalen's thick hair."Smokey? What should we do?"

Cassandra pushed her way over and placed her hands on either side of Kalen's neck. She gave a gasp and flew backwards to land with a thud against the wall. I was up and running to her side before Smokey could blink.

"Something...evil. Its holding him there, or trying to. We've got to wake him soon, or he'll weaken again. Healing a demon takes to much out of me, and I won't be able to heal him. I'm the only one who can, as well." She said, trying to catch her breath.

I turned to Smokey. He was already trying to wake Kalen up, but with limited success. When shaking didn't work, he slapped his face lightly, then harder until I ran over and stopped him. "We need to wake him now, Elfling. Look." He said, turning Kalen's face to me. I gasped when I saw a trickle of blood in the corner of his mouth.

"Kalen, wake up! Can't you hear me calling for you? I need you to come back to me now, and tell me what you saw." I said, trying to to summon him back with my voice. Nothing happened."What do I do?" I asked the others desperately. Cassandra put her arm around my shoulder.

"I think he'd come back if you did something he's always saying you can't do. Or if you did something to annoy him." She said calmly. I swear, nothing ruffles the woman. Must be her job.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, holding Kalen's head close to my heart. Smokey snorted and I felt a rush of cool air rush by me. I glared up at him and he shrugged, not at all worried now."Hello? Explain."

"Rydia, Kalen would come back from the dead for you. Just do something that he would think would put you in danger and he'll break free of whatever spell is holding him to get to you." He said, leaning against the wall again. I bit my lip and thought about what I could do on such short notice.

Then I laughed and met Smokey's blue eyes."Do you think he'd think himself a danger to me?" I asked. Smokey nodded."Thought so. Here goes nothing." I took a deep breath and bent, laying my mouth over Kalen's

I didn't know what to do, as I'd never kissed anyone before. Kalen's quick peck outside Kahn's castle didn't count. It had barely lasted more than half a second. So I just left my mouth against his warm ones for a second, wondering what to do next.

"Why don't you try moving them a bit?" Smokey offered from above me, sounding like he was about to choke on his tounge. I knew he would be laughing at my inexperience, but if it was the only way to wake Kalen, then I'd bare it.

Tentatively, I moved my lips. I felt Kalen's body shudder under me almost instantly, and then he was kissing me back for one glorious instant. Then I was shoved roughly to the floor and found Kalen leaning over me, his dark eyes wide and concerned.

'What do you think you're doing? If Karashinana saw you know, he'd have grounds to take you from me. Sorry if I hurt you, but I expect more sense from you, Elfling." He transfered his gaze to Smokey."And I expect more discipline on your part, my friend. Come. We must discuss what I saw." He said, lifting a hand so Smokey could pull him up.

I stepped between him before he could."We all need to hear. And you need to thank me for waking you from your trance." I snapped, feeling hurt that he wouldn't say something about the kiss.

Kalen rubbed his head wearily and sat back, his skin gray under its normal bronze tone."I'm sorry Elfling, its just...what I saw is disturbing. I still think I need to protect you from all the evils in this world. And thank you for awakening me. It was a brave thing to do. But please, never kiss me again." he said.

"Was it that awful then?" Smokey teased from the back. He'd moved wisely out of Kalen's range before speaking, and a good thing. Kalen glared at him and would've tried to go after him if I hadn't held him back.

"No, it was not."he snapped, reclining back against the wall."Smokey, do you remember what I taught you about my culture and the things we consider taboo?" he asked after a moment.

The dragon came forward and nodded. I sighed and snuggled against Kalen's warm side. He jerked, then put one arm over my waist and held me to him .If Smokey and Kalen started talking about old stuff, I was going to fall asleep.

"Yes. Its taboo to use human slaves as sacrifices, to disregard the word of the Dark Priest unless under the Dark Prince's orders, and never, under any circumstance, is it allowed to summon a soul back from the dead and let it possess someone." Smokey said, frowning."Why do you wish to know these things? You know the rules better than I do. You wrote most of them."

"Because the one thing that was never meant to be done has been done. My brother as broken his own law and summoned the soul of my master Melkin back from his eternal torment. And it gets worse. The person that became the Lich? Karsh himself. I couldn't match his power before, but now...impossible." Kalen said.

"Wait! I thought only Summoners could summon things!" I said, sitting up and looking at both of them. Smokey did his usual dragon thing and shrugged. I sighed heavily and looked to Kalen for an explanation, like I always did.

"You are the only one who can Summon things...living and pure things. Your magic is good. But my brother Karsh and I have the ability to call forth the souls of the dead. We usually only use tit to find out information from one who is dead, but it seems he broke his own law for power." Kalen frowned."He only made it to keep me from doing the exact same thing. Crazy man."

'So...how do we kill a Lich who happens to be the Dark Prince, ruler of all demons and other demonic creatures?" Smokey asked, heavy on the sarcasm. "Its not like we can waltz in and stab him in the heart like we did with Kahn.'

"True. For one thing, Karsh is extremely intelligent. Also, my own wards surround the palace and are made to keep him from all harm, even myself. And finally, a Lich can't be killed while in its hosts body." Kalen said, grim faced.

"Well, there is a story about a Lich that went on a rampage during the first age of the Earth. How was it stopped then?" Cassandra asked, patching Kalen up now that he was staying still.

"My father, the first Dark Priest, was the one who stopped him. His brother, the Dark Shadow, had done the impossible and become a Lich. My father couldn't find a way to get the demented soul inside him out, so he ended up sealing my Uncle Kongo in a mountain of ice and then shattering it with a blast of pure dark magic. It shattered and the magic cleansed the soul from the body. It also killed my father and uncle. Thats when Melkin took over my training, and my brothers and I came into our power. Not long after that, I went to live with Lassandra." Kalen said lowly.

"Whoa, Kalen. Even I didn't know that. You moved between the elf lands and Hael all those years and are still sane?" Smokey asked, looking mighty impressed with Kalen's feats of power and will.

"Who said I was sane?" Kalen asked lowly, looking away from everyone to stare at the wall for a long time. I scooted over and touched his shoulder lightly. He jerked as though I'd burnt him and then relaxed, looking back at us again.

"Thank you, Elfling. I lost myself in my memories of that time. When Melkin saw what power I wielded, he wanted to bind me to him, so I'd be his puppet in his try for the Throne of Darkness. He tried to overpower me in that famous fight. My powers bested his and I became the official Dark Priest. My brother Karsh and I worked to build order in Hale and we succeeded. Karn was a solider in our army at that time, ready to start his learning once I wanted to retire and die. Kahn was our assassin, killing our enemies."

"But I never became like the rest of them, and this unknowingly gave me more power than any of them had, but at a greater cost than any of them had to pay. When Lassandra saw what I could do, she started to train me. Thats when I meet Selena...and about one hundred years later, I was tricked. " Kalen stopped talking and Cassandra reached out and placed her hand on his brawny arm.

"The Goddess saw all this, Kalen, so I have as well. You are not evil, no matter how dark a soul you think you have. She has forgiven you your every preceptive sin." She said softly. Kalen closed his eyes and turned his face to the wall again. After awhile, he squeezed Cassandra's hand and gently shoved her away from him.

"We get off topic. My father killed the Lich by shattering his body and cleansing the body, but I cannot do this while a danger exists to Rydia. I want to try to find another way to kill one." He said, voice gruff.

"Ah. I know what you want to do. Browse threw the oldest and most correct library in the world." Smokey said."We can go, but we must be careful of your health, Kalen."

"Where are we going? Smokey? Where?" I asked, standing and moving towards the wilily dragon. He grinned at me, showing all of his very white teeth.
"Home, Rydia. The knowledge we need is in Mystiva. We're going to take Kalen into the one place demons can be killed." his grin widened."isn't this going to be fun?"