Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 20
After Bréagán left the courtyard Erlenkönig began his own preparations for the upcoming fight. He did not have time to think of the elf's self apprehension. He knew that because of the chiding from the the other elves about his magic when he was young, that Bréagán had little reason to feel confident in his abilities, but he also knew that his difficult early life had instilled upon him a great strength of conviction and if he set his mind to a task he would give all he had to follow it through. He hoped that the younger Elder knew that he was his friend, not just his king. He felt confident that Bréagán would not let him down. More than any of the others, Bréagán's peculiar magic was vital to his plan. Erlenkönig carefully reached out with his magic to touch each of the eight streams that were present above him weaving a powerful net across the Keep, tightening it as the magic strengthened. Each elf's magic was distinct to that elf and he searched to remember who was the source of each. Several lines of power he knew, two were strong elders from the Ibero Clan, the same clan from which Reginn hailed. One more was an elder and member of his new Council Of Six and another from Erin. They, also, were very strong. The others, with the exception of Reginn, he did not know. He decided when the time came he would cut the magic streams of Reginn and the other four which should draw them into the keep where he hoped to keep them off balance so they could not mount a unified attack against him. He was not concerned about their individual strength. His own magic was easily a match for any two them, but if they could manage to combine their strength, he would not stand a chance against them, but if he could draw them into the Keep they would not be able to destroy it. The Keep itself was guarded by its own ancient magic which is why they had to build so much power before attacking it. He was also concerned about any hidden conspirators of which they were unaware. If he were in Reginn's position, he would surely keep at least two or three elves in reserve if things became more difficult than they expected.
According to the streams of magic he had read, Reginn was the second from the left of the five elves he was attempting to draw into the Keep. He positioned his staff in the middle of the courtyard and withdrew to a corridor opposite the one he expected Reginn to use when he entered. Using a small amount of magic that he thought would be lost in the expanse being used above him, he collapsed a small portion of the entrance in front of him.
He did not want to stop Reginn from getting through, only to slow him down a bit. His staff being left in the middle of the yard was of no concern.
His magic was the only one that could be used with his staff, and if he was lucky it might even help to confuse the other elves.
He waited. Finally he felt the initially subtle magic being forced into the center of the bridge. He knew in an instant it was Andghul. He could also feel the streams above him shift noticeably toward the bridge as the conspirators realized what was happening. Immediately, Erlenkönig, using all of his strength, reached out with his own magic cutting five streams in half like cutting the head from a viper's body, the trailing magic squirmed and died slowly. Reginn reacted swiftly trying to re-establish his separated line, but Erlenkönig was too quick and cut it again before he could firmly regain control of it. Each elf in turn attempted to rebuild their magical streams only to be thwarted by the King, until finally their magic disappeared. He knew at this moment they were coming for him. In short order the sound of light foot steps were audible in the dim hallways in front of him. They were cautious
but determined. He could still sense the battle that raged over the bridge. If they did not get the island from Erin's shore and moved into the ocean the humans would overrun the Village and all would be lost.
In his cave Bréagán felt when Andghul's magic created ripples along the center of the bridge. His fear was overwhelming when the power of the dark magic was shifted to stop Andghul and he feared for the Elder's life. Then as quickly the streams were cut to a fraction of their power when five of them disappeared sputtering out like a candle flame. Almost immediately Gwaldon and Obrynith entered the fray as they found the targets for their magic, weaving it in and out of the remaining streams, changing it, manipulating it into something other than what it was supposed to be. The rain began immediately and came down in torrents flooding the streets of the Village, lightning flashed and thunder shook the buildings as Gwaldon changed the dark magic into something less harmful. Obrynith was tiring when Bréagán's mind touched his offering his magic to bolster Obrynith's. He accepted it and used it to regain his strength, then let it go, and Bréagán did the same for Gwaldon. This was one of the gifts of Bréagán. He was only one of a handful of elves throughout history known to be able to share his magic with others.
Neither Obrynith nor Gwaldon could destroy the magic of other elves, all they could do is change their magic and they both hoped the dark elves would run out of strength before them. They, luckily, had Bréagán to help sustain them.
Copyright © James Inman | Year Posted 2021
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