The captain of the elf guard bowed and set off to organize the assault.
Chapter 11
"We are ready to make our first attempt," Birk Grund acknowledged, as he returned to speak to the camp elder. "We shall be as efficient with the energies as we can. I know it is important to you that we hold as much in reserve as possible."
"It is more important that we escape," Shantree replied. She had played out all the scenarios in her mind. She saw each path clearly. She could hope for success, but she had to accept the possibility of failure. The one result she did not relish was uncertainty. There was no sense in making the attempt if it only left them with more questions. "I place no qualifications or restrictions on your plans. I do not want you to hold back in any fashion. Our path is decided and it cannot be a half-hearted measure. We must know if this has a chance for success or not. I would rather use every ounce of our magic and fail than attempt to save energy only to remain uncertain about the results. We either succeed or we fail, but one way or the other, we must know."
Only minor surprise struck the elf captain. Initially, Shantree wanted to conserve the magic in order to survive, and it was Birk's intention to balance his assault with the camp elder's desire. He would only use what was necessary, but she had changed the course of her objectives. She gave her full support to the assault on the barrier, and like any good leader, once she made her decision, she did not wish to restrain her forces. To do so would show indecisiveness, weakness, and that was not the way of Shantree Wispon.
"I understand," Birk acknowledged. "I will make the proper adjustments. We will not limit our assault, and I am prepared to face any repercussions should we fail."
Shantree shook her head resolutely. She would not allow Birk to shoulder her burdens. Despite the weariness that continued to grind at her every fiber, she stood firm in her decisions and expected to be held accountable for each one.
"It was ultimately my decision," the elf leader declared, "and I will take responsibility for any failure. You offered an opportunity, and I accepted your proposal. Blame shall not be your reward regardless of the outcome."
"I appreciate that, but I believe blame or praise no longer matters. If this does not work, I do not know what else we can do."
"Let us worry about that only if that is what we face… and let us hope it is not. What do you need from me?"
"I would ask that you stand near and watch. It will encourage our spell casters if they know our leader stands with us."
"I shall do so willingly."
They walked together to the edge of the barrier where several elves congregated. They took slow, but steady steps. The elf guard captain allowed the elder to move at her own deliberate pace. He made no attempt to guide her or assist her labored movements.
She was thankful for the respect. She slept little since their arrival in the dark realm, and though she could not be sure how many days had past, she was certain it was far too many. The tired ache of her muscles made movement difficult, but she did not wish to appear dependent on another. Even the appearance of frailty would not help their cause. The elves of her camp looked to her for strength and resolve, and she refused to disappoint them.
When they reached the appropriate spot, Birk asked Shantree to give him a moment. He needed to address the other elves-discuss the appropriate utilization of magical energies and adjust the planned dispersal of power. Every elf would be encouraged to unleash every bit of magic.
Speaking with several elf magic casters, he advised them to concentrate greater energy against the barrier. Once they all understood and acknowledged that no effort would be spared, he returned to Shantree's side.
"They are going to begin in a few moments." He motioned to a half dozen elves that stood behind several other magic casters near the wall. "The six further back will call on as much energy as they can absorb. They will feed the casters with magic as they weave their spells. They will now pull from all available sources. Do not be alarmed if you feel as if you are being drawn to them. The magic will flow heavily through us all."
"I understand," Shantree replied.
Birk pointed to two elves nearest the edge of the domed obstruction.
"Those two shall monitor the barrier. They have already cast a spell that allows them to see the intrinsic strength of the force field. They are not quite linked to the barrier spell itself, but they have been able to match their vision to the tune of the vibrations emitted from the obstacle. They believe that the vibrations will become erratic as the field weakens. Once all the casters are ready, they will direct the assault. They will determine the order of the spell castings and which hues to utilize."
"Have they decided who will go first?" Shantree wondered aloud.
"Scheff Rutlan," Birk announced. "He is the most accomplished of our magic casters. He has achieved a near perfect circle and he casts in dark violet. Of all the elves in our camp, his inherent hue is the closest to pure ebony. We believe we need to match the essence of the spell to the best of our ability at the beginning, then we might devise the path to break it down."
"Dark violet," Shantree whispered, "the power of the storm."
Birk nodded and said no more. He watched and waited as the first elf began shaping his energy into the proper spell.
Scheff Rutlan moved close enough to the barrier to almost reach out and touch it. Stepping between the two elves that monitored the force field, he also seized the essence of the barrier. It was made of pure magic, but the energy from the field rebuked him. He could feel the power swirling throughout the dark but translucent wall, and he let his own magical essence bubble out from his core. As the two energies came in close contact, the force that constructed the barrier opposed the violet energy within him.
The magic that coursed through the barrier pulsed in harmony with the surrounding lands. It echoed with the screams of death in the distance, and it surged with the long shadows that stretched across its surface. It flowed up into the sultry air, and it embraced the hard lifeless soil. Most of all, it throbbed in joyous recognition of the constant upheaval that surrounded it. It thrived in the chaotic change of the dark realm, as if its entire essence was constructed from the very fabric of that twisted reality.
Scheff could do more than just feel the awesome strength within the barrier. He could see it. As he pulled at the energy, placed himself within the flow of magic that constructed the force field, a thick blanket of ebony magic spilled into his consciousness. It was the purest black he had ever seen and it filled him with awe.
The magic that fueled the barrier was near indescribable. It was beyond shadow, beyond night. It was larger than loneliness and greater than grief. It was all encompassing. It was the border between realities, the very transition from one existence to another, and the absolute boundary between one life and the next. It was the hollow void of emptiness, and the absolute grip of alteration within each existence. Its overwhelming reach into pure nothingness was total, complete… perfect.
Even as the great shadow of magic engulfed his spirit, Scheff felt it reject him. The blackness swept across the purple hue of his essence, unwilling to mix with energy unfit to join its purity. It seemed as if the magic scoffed at him, ridiculed the elf for being inferior. It did not bother to press the violet energy aside, or charge through like some invader at a gate. It did not try to overwhelm the elf, or obliterate him in a burst of dominance. It simply allowed itself to be acknowledged by the elf, as if offering a peek at magnificence.
Feeling hopelessness grow within him, Scheff could do little more than allow the flow of ebony pureness to pass through him and then disregard him as an insignificant insect. With the dark shadow gone from his spirit, he took hold of the violet magic that was his to control. It felt small, almost powerless.