Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

V era crouched behind the stone battlements, studying the chaotic scene below. The clash of metal and cries of combat filled the air as the Elvar and the Farlain guards engaged in fierce battle. Maeve and Lior crouched next to her, Maeve's face etched with concern and Lior's wings quivering with nervous energy.

She couldn't help feeling that she should be part of the battle, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those fighting for their freedom, but she was intelligent enough to recognize that her lack of fighting skills would have made her a liability rather than an asset. Her strengths lay elsewhere.

She took a deep breath and focused on the scene below again, forcing herself to analyze the activity as if it were simply an example in one of her books, looking for patterns. For weaknesses.

"There," she whispered, pointing to a gap in the Farlain formation. "If we can exploit that weakness, we might be able to break through their lines."

Lior's iridescent wings unfurled as she hurried off to relay the message to the fighters below.

Vera kept her focus on the battle, analyzing every movement, every shift in the battle's tide. She spotted a group of Farlain guards flanking from the east, their approach hidden by the terrain.

"Lior, have someone warn the eastern flank," she urged as the girl returned. "They're about to be ambushed."

The girl nodded and disappeared again. Moments later, Vera saw a group of Elvar turn and face their would-be ambushers head on, defeating them.

A small victory, but the battle was far from over. She scanned the battlefield relentlessly, searching for any advantage they could use, watching in growing horror as the tide of battle turned against the Elvar. The Farlain guards, with their superior weapons and training, pushed forward relentlessly. Elvar warriors fell back, their makeshift weapons proving ineffective against the guards' advanced armor.

"We need to even the odds," she muttered, but she only had one shot. She didn't want to waste it.

Her heart sank as she saw an Elvar fighter crumple to the ground, struck down by a blaster. The sight sent a jolt of fear through her, but she forced it down, gritting her teeth.

"We can't let this happen," she muttered, her eyes darting across the battlefield, desperately searching for a solution. The Elvar lines were breaking, their formation crumbling under the ruthless assault.

Suddenly, a rumbling sound filled the air, and she felt the ground shake beneath her. A section of the stronghold's outer wall exploded in a shower of debris, raining stones and dust on the soldiers below.

A swarm of Farlain fighters rushed through the gap and for a moment her heart sank, but then she realized they were also fighting against the guards. The newcomers dove into the fray with fierce precision, their advanced weaponry and combat skills catching the Farlain guards off guard. Her pulse quickened as she watched them cut through the enemy lines, creating chaos in their wake.

And there, at the forefront of the charge, was Grabon. His massive wings spread wide as he swooped down, fighting with a controlled ferocity that made her breath catch.

A storm of emotions rushed through her, the most prominent of which was relief, washing away some of the desperation that had gripped her moments before. He'd come to their aid, just as he'd promised, and he'd brought help. He had kept a secret he shouldn't have kept, but he hadn't betrayed them after all.

The Elvar, reinvigorated by the unexpected reinforcements, rallied with renewed strength. Their cries of determination echoed across the battlefield as they pushed back against the Farlain guards.

She watched as the tide of battle began to turn. The Farlain guards, once so confident in their superiority, now found themselves on the defensive. The combined forces of the Elvar and Grabon's allies pressed their advantage, slowly but surely gaining ground.

But even as hope blossomed in her chest, she continued to scan the battlefield, searching for opportunities, weak points they could exploit. The Farlain guards, though taken by surprise, were still formidable opponents. They needed something more, a decisive action that would tip the scales firmly in their favor - and they needed it before the guards could regroup.

She took a deep breath and whispered to Lior.

"It's time. Spread the word."

Word spread quickly and the Elvar pulled back, taking their new allies with them. She took another deep breath and pushed the detonator. The bomb she had rigged earlier exploded, a thunderous boom echoing across the island. Her heart leaped into her throat as she watched the guards near the chokepoint stumble and scatter.

Smoke billowed up, obscuring the guards' vision and filling the air with confusion. Debris rained down, further disorienting the guards and their carefully organized formation crumbled as they stumbled through the haze, coughing and disoriented. Her heart pounded in her chest, hope coursing through her veins.

As the smoke began to clear, she saw the full extent of her plan's success. The guards' tight formation had been completely disrupted, leaving them vulnerable and exposed. The Elvar, who had pulled back just in time, now held a significant tactical advantage.

Grabon recognized it as well, and the Elvar and their newfound allies surged forward, seizing the moment of confusion. The disoriented Farlain guards stumbled backwards, their ranks broken and their resolve shattered. The tide of battle had shifted dramatically, and victory seemed within reach.

The Elvar fought with renewed vigor with Grabon's powerful figure leading the charge, his wings spread wide as he swooped down upon the enemy.

As the battle raged on, the chaotic scene below her suddenly felt oddly familiar, as if she had seen it before. Her mind flashed back to the ancient ruins, to the carvings they had uncovered and the realization hit her like a thunderbolt.

This was the moment foretold in the prophecy. The red-haired savior, the winged warrior, the oppressed rising against their tormentors - it was all unfolding before her eyes. The cloud that had floated behind her wasn't a cloud at all - it was the dust from the explosion filling the air.

A shiver ran down her spine as the full weight of her role in the Elvar's destiny settled over her. Had all of this been predicted by those ancient carvings? The enormity of it all threatened to overwhelm her and she gripped the battlements tightly, her knuckles turning white as she steadied herself. She had never believed in destiny or fate, but she couldn't deny the uncanny parallels between the prophecy and the unfolding events.

"Is something wrong?" Maeve whispered.

Her face was concerned but there was a depth of knowledge in her eyes that shook Vera.

"Did you know this would happen?" she demanded.

"If you mean the exact details, no. If you mean the chance to win our freedom, yes." The older female smiled at her shocked face. "And that you would be a part of it. Or at least I hoped you would be."

Still stunned by the revelation, she turned back to the battle trying to focus on what was happening below. Fortunately the battle was drawing to a close. Victory was theirs. Relief washed over her, along with an overwhelming urge to find Grabon.

"I have to find my mate," she told Maeve and the other female smiled.

"Then go to him."

She raced down from the battlements, her feet barely touching the ground as she navigated the debris-strewn ground. She kept scanning the crowd below, searching for his massive figure, suddenly desperate to be in his arms. She reached the bottom of the tower and was about to dart out into the inner courtyard when a cold hand grabbed her arm, yanking her into the shadows.

She opened her mouth to scream, but the male's other hand covered her mouth as he spun her around. A Farlain male had her in his grip. He was a small, unassuming male, not much larger than her, but his grip was painfully effective, his strength far greater than she expected.

"How remarkably convenient. I thought I would have to spend more time searching for you."

He had a soft, almost silky voice, but there was a vicious note underlying it and she shivered as he pulled her through a doorway and back into the stronghold.

"Let me go!" she yelled as soon as he removed his hand from her mouth, hoping desperately that someone would hear, but the jubilant celebrations behind her covered her voice.

With practiced efficiency, her captor bound her wrists tightly, the rope closing around her wrists to form unbreakable cuffs.

"Who are you?" she demanded. "What do you want?"

"You may call me Robat. And what I want is my money." The smooth voice cracked for a moment before he assumed his previous urbanity. He scanned her body, not lustfully, but more as if he were a used car salesman evaluating his merchandise. "You should fetch enough credits to support me adequately while I determine the best way to proceed. A little thin perhaps, but you'll do. And you are remarkably undamaged. Dekell is rough on his toys - I had expected you to be in much worse condition."

He was going to sell her? Panic surged through her veins.

"Grabon!" she screamed, her voice raw and desperate. "Help!"

Robat clamped a hand over her mouth again, muffling her cries.

"Enough," he hissed. "Yelling will not help you. Do you want me to bind your mouth as well?"

She thrashed wildly, trying to break free, but Robat's grip only tightened as he dragged her deeper into the stronghold.

Through the open door behind them, she finally caught a glimpse of Grabon in the distance, oblivious to her plight. Tears stung her eyes as the reality of her situation sank in. She was being torn away from everything she had come to love - the Elvar, their cause, and most of all, Grabon.

The sounds of victory faded behind them as the slaver pulled her deeper into the jungle. The stronghold disappeared behind the foliage, leaving her alone once more..