In the path of progress (Hagia Mage Hunt 2)

ELLADAN

Brille was but a flash of brown and white in the ever-green distance, too far from the reach of his magic as Elladan gave chase. She was headed in the same direction as the snarl that had pierced the air only minutes earlier, perhaps hoping to lose him in whatever trouble ensued beyond their eye line. It would not be a successful tactic- Elladan had pursued criminals and traitors through wars upon the orders of his leader, he would eventually catch up to Brille now.

Ivras rose from the surrounding forest, a proud beacon to the might of power of the mages besides, of course, the roars and screams that filled it now. The stag had visited the city on many an occasion, even training in the Order there in the hopes of improving his control and strength. It was a far cry now from the bustling markets and quiet libraries he knew as a storm, both literal and proverbial brewed ahead.

Elladan forced his legs to move faster, for once appreciating the new body as he raced through the undergrowth and leapt nimbly over fallen logs. Brille was no longer his main concern as the chaos was audible even outside the city limits. Adrenalin and anticipation raced through his veins as he drew closer, his breath snorted from flared nostrils.

Finally the wall surrounding the city came into view and Elladan skidded to a halt before a towering archway. Even though the main square was obscured by the many buildings surrounding it, there was no missing the giant, pale worm-creature that slithered in between them, sending bricks and debris crashing onto the surrounding roads and paths. He blinked, the only show of surprise, as he paused only momentarily. There was only one explanation for how a creature like that was in the centre of the city with little wreckage upon the outskirts.

With little time to ponder further what might be going on Elladan pulled his dagger from the clasp at his leg (though it would do little good against a giant worm) and pressed forward at a hectic pace. Dodging panicked passersby, mage and non-mage alike, he weaved his way through the streets of Ivras as the noise grew loader and the crowds more chaotic.

Each entrance to the square the stag passed was blocked by fallen debris, some too dense for him to make out what lay beyond. Frustration formed upon his features with each dead end, his hooves clattering noisily upon the cobbled stones, until at last he came upon one with some fallen beams propped up against the fallen bricks and wood. On instinct rather than a well thought out plan, he raced down the alley and leapt onto the first plank, feeling it give way beneath his hooves. With the grace only a cervine could muster, he jumped onto something else, taking little time to consider what might hold his weight as he moved again and again. With a great final leap and a grunt he landed on the other side, dropping amidst the bedlam.

With as quick a glance as he could, Elladan assessed the situation. A number of mages faced the large worm-creature head on and he turned in their direction, intent upon supporting them. In Inbali he’d fought many corrupted mages, the Ring often responsible for maintain the safety of the clan and so battle was the first thought upon his mind. But then a flash of brown and white caught his eye; Brille raced through the crowds toward a pile of branches and rubble. He whirled in her direction, whipping his head around to watch for a mere moment as she cralwed into the pile and raised it with her body. Two smaller creatures- an equine and a bovine, slipped from beneath the wreckage, bleating their panic and their thanks. Narrowing his eyes for a moment, Elladan turned away, and ran his gaze across the square once more. One escaped traitor was less important than the multitude of lives in danger at that moment.

Battle was not where he could do the most good in that moment -it didn’t matter how much their warriors fought the monster if the civilians were trapped and injured by the ensuing wreckage. They needed an escape.

Picking the least-blocked exit from the square he dove toward it, bellowing out to anyone who might be listening and thinking the same. “We need to unblock these exits, quickly!”

There were very few trees in the square and those that did rise from the greenery were too far away or two small to be of any real use it removing the rubble. Instead, as he reached the blockage, Elladan sheathed his dagger and reared up, striking at the bricks and planks felled by the wild creature. Driving his head beneath the beams he caught them in his antlers and began to heave, lifting and pulling them away as much as he could. Again and again he pushed and he grabbed, feeling the muscles in his neck straining and his skull aching. He greatly missed the strength of his equine form but this was not the time. It felt as though each time he freed a log from the pile, each time light filtered through the gap he created, more rubble piled up and more debris collapsed beneath his efforts. He paused, his breath growling from his throat as his chest rose and fell with the exertion. There had to be another way.

“You and you,” he called to a draft horse and an elk that had joined him, “we need to shore up the rubble and create a bridge over the top. Find some more planks and wood- and quickly.” Any hesitation on the part of the other citizens was chased away by the roars of the worm and they went back to work. Elladan joined him, bracing his antlers against the bricks and rubble that littered the ground, scooping them up and filling any gaps as quickly as he could. He only hoped they would be able to create an exit to save those still trapped in the square.

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Golden child, lion boy; tell me what it's like to conquer