The Divine Unleashed (Book 3) (22 page)

Enough!
Kade communicated firmly to his friend.  He sent the thought so hard through the link that the dragon winced. 
I need the shapeshifter.  You must not harm her!
Kade thought forcefully.  The link was full of surprise and confusion.  He turned to Ven quickly.  “Change back to your birth form.”

“I shall, but I fear your dragon is about to tear me apart,” Ven said nervously as she glanced back and forth quickly between Rayden and Kade.  “If you believe I am safe, I shall trust you and do as you say,” Ven said.  She hesitated, waiting for his reassurance.  Kade glanced back at the dragon and then nodded his head to her.  With that, she shimmered and changed into the beautiful form of Ven.

Yes, it is a female
, Kade sent through the link. 
This is her true form.  Do not hurt her!
he thought firmly.  Rayden edged closer, step by step, not taking his eyes off the shapeshifter.  Ven fidgeted nervously as she glanced at Kade for reassurance.

“We do not have time for this,” Doren said impatiently.

“We must make time for it.  I need them both and they must work together,” Kade said, trying his hardest not to glare at the Master Chosen.  Doren gave an irritated huff and crossed his arms while giving Kade a stern look.  The Apprentice Chosen ignored it and focused on Rayden as the dragon closed in on Ven.

“Easy, Rayden,” Kade said, feeling anger and confusion through the connection. “Easy.”

Rayden edged closer yet.  His head was right next to Kade, still locked onto the shapeshifter.  Kade looked at the massive jaws that were too large for him to reach around and prayed Rayden would listen.  The dragon was now so close to the shapeshifter that if it decided to lunge, Ven would have been in trouble.  Kade’s palms became clammy under the stress.

“Rayden,” Kade said firmly as he put his hands on the side of the dragon’s head, ready to push it away.  “Do…not…hurt…her!” he said, emphasizing each word.  As he spoke the last word, the dragon’s lips stopped quivering.  Rayden’s nose started to work furiously as he inhaled the shapeshifter’s scent.  His wings were still half extended as his nose touched Ven’s chest.  She gave a slight whine as fear gripped her heart.  “Rayden,” Kade warned again. 

Dragons really hold grudges
, Kade thought as he readied himself to dive at Ven.  He was not strong enough to stop the dragon, but maybe he could get her out of the way if Rayden attacked.  Kade flexed his muscles as he prepared to act.  He looked at Rayden’s wings and recalled the last time he saw the dragon in this position; it was when the dragon had torn into the first cat-like creature they had encountered.

“Kade,” Darcienna said with deep concern in her voice.  He wanted to look at her, but he could not chance taking his eyes off Ven for even a moment.  His muscles started to ache.

“Rayden,” Kade said as he put pressure on the dragon’s head, trying to push it out of the way.  It was like pushing against a boulder.  The dragon gave no sign of moving, and Kade knew it was going nowhere until it wanted.

“Kade,” Doren said in that tone a master uses with an apprentice.  “We do NOT have time for this.  Leave the shapeshifter behind and let’s go now!”  Doren commanded.

Out of his peripheral, Kade saw flowing black fur approach the Master Chosen and knew that the king had interceded on his behalf.  He made it a point to thank the king profusely for his timing.  He decided to try another approach.  Stroking the dragon gently on the jaw, Kade spoke softly.

“Rayden, I need you to forgive her.  Just as I saved your life, she may save mine,” Kade said, sending the words through the link along with speaking them aloud.  “You must respect my wishes,” he said as he moved next to the shapeshifter.  “She is with us now.”

Rayden moved ever so slightly as he studied the shapeshifter for several long seconds.  Kade could feel the hate melting away.  Rayden turned his attention to Kade and his wings slowly folded tightly to his body.  The dragon let out its breath.  Kade’s eyes widened as he realized that Rayden had dragon’s fire ready to envelop the shapeshifter. 

I could not have saved her
, Kade thought as he felt his heart pound.  He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then let it out unsteadily.  Ven smiled her thanks but her lips quivered with the effort.  She had been scared to the core of her being.

“I am happy my trust was not misplaced,” Ven said innocently.  If only she knew how unsure Kade was.

“You did the right thing,” Darcienna said as she let her hands fall to her side.  “We may need her,” she said as she spared a glance for the shapeshifter.

“Would your shield have stopped the dragon’s fire in time?” Kade asked as his nerves calmed.  He dried his hands on his pants.

“Who says I was going to use my shield?” Darcienna asked pointedly.

“Let’s get going,” Kade said as he gave her a knowing look.  Darcienna rolled her eyes and turned for the dragon.

Rayden quickly dropped to his knees and held still for the riders to mount.  Darcienna was first, followed by the Master Chosen and then the queen climbed up the dragon’s tail to settle behind Doren.  Rayden shuddered as usual.  There was no getting used to it for the dragon.  Kade vaulted off the dragon’s knee to land right in front of Darcienna.  Rayden’s wings came out and he was ready to pump when Kade had him hold.

“What form would be best for you?” Kade asked the shapeshifter.

“How about this one?” Ven asked as she changed to a monkey and swung up to hang around his neck.  Kade could feel irritation through the link, and then just as quickly, it was gone.

“That should work.  Hold on tight,” Kade said as he put an arm around the monkey and held her close.  Darcienna tensed.  He ignored her nonverbal protest.  “I am going to make us unheard and unseen,” he said to the dragon as much as to the other passengers.

The king was standing next to the dragon as the clutch poured out of the tree in waves.  It was a never ending flood of spiders as they exited and climbed the tree.  Many came out to surround the dragon and see their queen off.  Kade was amazed that this many spiders had even fit in the tree.  True, the Great Hall could fit five hundred or more, but where did the rest come from?  There had to be close to a thousand.  The more spiders poured out of the tree, the more confident he felt that they had a chance to win this war.  Those poisonous fangs were not to be ignored.

Kade closed his eyes and focused on the callings he needed.  He opened his eyes and performed the Transparency Calling flawlessly.  There was an audible buzzing from the spiders as the dragon and its riders faded from view.  Kade could not help but to grin to himself, considering how their disappearance must have looked to the clutch.  He readied himself for the Silence Calling and hesitated.

“Be ready.  We will know how to proceed shortly,” Kade said to the king and then performed the calling.

Rayden opened his wings, but there were too many spiders around for him to get into the air.  He nudged the spiders out of the way as he headed toward the open plain.  When he had a clear path ahead of himself, he took several powerful lunges and then launched into the air.  Kade had to hold on tightly as his head threatened to rock back from the force of the thrust.  If it was this difficult for him, then how Doren stayed on was beyond his understanding.

“Thank you,” Doren said.

“You are welcome,” Rakna responded.

“That was close,” Doren said, his voice slightly unsteady.  Before the apprentice could ask what he was missing, the Master Chosen’s words made it clear what had happened.  “Your webbing held me in place nicely.”  As much as Kade found the Master Chosen grating on his nerves, he would have regretted it deeply if anything were to happen to him.

“Maybe a harness to help for travel,” Kade offered.

“That would be most optimal,” Doren said, regaining much of his composure.

The dragon pumped hard until they gained enough altitude to see almost all the way to the cave.  The mountain came at them quickly.  As they approached their destination, Kade looked down at the ground, and for a moment, noticed that it appeared to be moving.  The more he focused on it, the more he was able to make out what he was seeing.

“Master Chosen!” Kade yelled over the noise of the wind.  “Look at the ground!”

“My eyes are not as sharp as they once were.  What are you seeing?” Doren asked.

“Darcienna?  Rakna?” Kade asked as the shapes started to become more distinguishable.

I see,
Rakna said in his mind.  Darcienna squeezed him hard as her eyes widened.  Kade turned to look at her, forgetting that she was unseeable.   Regardless, it was obvious she was seeing the same thing as he through eyes he was sure were glowing. 
They appear to be giant ants
, the queen said in his mind. 
They are, at best, minutes away from discovering the cave,
the queen warned as they swooped in toward their destination.

“Rayden, you must not disturb the ground.  Find a patch of grass.  We cannot allow ourselves to be detected.  Rakna, warn the spiders not to attack.  Under no circumstance are they to attack unless we give the order.  Any spiders not already in the cave are to take to the trees and stay hidden, no matter what,” Kade said, feeling panic start to build.

If those ants found the tunnel, it would have disastrous consequences.  They were crawling all over everything.  They were covering the mountain as a blanket covers a bed.  There was not one spot that was being left unchecked.

“The spiders are hidden in the cave, but if those ants find the cave, they will find the clutch,” Rakna hissed.

“Then we have to stop that from happening,” Kade said as the dragon touched down.

The closest ant was a mere one hundred yards from the tunnel and closing in as it walked on the side of the mountain.  The ants were being methodical as they covered every inch of ground.  It was inevitable that they were going to discover the tunnel if something was not done.

“To the cave!  Hurry!”  Kade said as he quickly found Darcienna’s hand and pulled her along.   “Rayden, back into the air and stay there until I call,” Kade commanded.  He felt the beating of wings as the dragon leapt into the air.

The closest ant was now just fifty yards.  More ants were beginning to fill the area.  Doren ordered them into the opening as he readied himself to cast his calling.  Kade hesitated, certain he knew what calling Doren was going to use.

“I will stay with you in case you need me,” Kade said as he stopped outside the entrance.  Doren did not answer.  Kade could feel the Divine building and then the cave disappeared to be covered by what looked like mountainside.

“In!” Doren commanded.  Kade felt the ground vibrate slightly and knew that Doren had entered the cave.  Kade stood watching as the ant moved closer and closer to the entrance.  He knew he should have done as the Master Chosen ordered, but he could not take his eyes off that one ant.  He held his breath and took a step back.  The ant continued to search the ground for any sign of the hidden treasure as it moved closer and closer, its head swinging back and forth as it searched.  Kade felt his chest ache as his heart beat like a drum.

“Kade,” Darcienna called, but he continued to watch the ant move closer by the second. 

Twenty yards,
Kade thought as he mentally measured the distance.  It made a zigzag pattern along the mountainside as it continued in its methodical search.  Its antenna quivered every few seconds.  It was about five feet long and had eyes that bulged out like a fly.  It stood two feet off the ground and its body undulated on five pod-like shapes as if it were a snake.  Its legs ended in points that were sharp as daggers.  Above all else, Kade noticed the mandibles that were over a foot long and sharp as razors.  They flexed open and closed every few seconds as the creature prepared them for use.  He was certain that those weapons could tear his arm off with virtually no effort if it got the chance.  He glanced around and saw an army of ants scouring the area, but it was this one he was locked onto that was his concern. 

Ten yards
Kade thought, as he swallowed hard.  He could hear a slight hum now every time its antenna quivered.  It hit him that this was their way of communicating.  He glanced at the cave and then back at the ant as it moved closer, yet.  It stopped and its head moved back and forth rapidly as if catching a scent. 

“Kade!” Doren said forcefully, anger in his voice.  The apprentice, barely breathing, ignored the command as he focused on the ant.

It moved closer to the edge of the cave.  Kade carefully approached, making sure not to disturb the ground.  Just one yard from the edge of the cave and one yard from Kade, it stopped to crane its neck in his direction.  Its antenna quivered and the hum could easily be heard now.  He could feel the vibration in his teeth as the ant continued to communicate.  Its head swam back and forth as it tested the air for the presence it sensed.  After just a moment, it moved forward…and then…disappeared around the corner and into the cave.

*CH6*

Kade felt the shapeshifter climb to his shoulder and launch through the air as it propelled itself through the illusion.  He lunged through the opening at almost the same time.  As he passed through the entrance, he saw the ant hanging in midair for just a fraction of a second and then its head was torn from its body.

“Kade, quickly, remove the protective callings,” Ven said in her giant-form voice.

The callings from the group vanished just as the ant was falling to the ground.  There, stood another ant just like the one on the ground.  It was unnerving, but Kade knew what had happened.  The ant’s antenna quivered, but in this form, there was no way for them to understand what she was trying to say.  Ven turned and raced out through the illusion just in time to intercept several other ants that were headed in their direction.  Her antenna quivered rapidly and then the other ants turned away and continued their search elsewhere.

“That was close,” Doren said. 

Kade cast a glance at Darcienna, but quickly looked away.  He thought about pointing out that contrary to what she had argued, Ven had proven herself useful but decided not to make the point.  It was too late.  Darcienna caught the look.

“Yes, she did help,” Darcienna said, begrudgingly.

“I was not going to say anything,” Kade added.  “But, yes she did,” he finished.

Kade turned and realized for the first time that there were spiders completely covering the walls, ceiling and floor.  It was a sea of spiders.  One of them buzzed to the queen dramatically.  Kade thought he could just start to make out the difference in tones.  It was not a good buzzing.

“A spider got too close to the arch, and something came out of it.  Shortly after, the spider started to attack the others.  They had to kill it,” the queen said, anger in her voice.  “This is unacceptable.  Spiders do not attack other spiders, Kade.  We threaten to use force, as the leaders of our kind, but it is extremely rare that we ever have to follow through on that threat,” Rakna said, highly agitated.  “What came through was evil.  We should consider destroying this thing,” she added in great distress.

“We need this as much as Morg does.  We must make sure all spiders stay away from the arch.  I am sorry, Rakna, but we cannot destroy it.  Not yet,” Kade said as he waited to see if Doren had any input.  The Master Chosen stood by silently, but Kade knew his mind was working.

“Kade,” Darcienna said from the entrance.  “The ants are moving on.  What do we do now?”

“We must go to Morg,” Doren said firmly.

“Once we are sure the ants are gone,” Kade said and then turned toward Doren for the next part, “And…Ven is back.  Only then shall we go.  I am going to recast the protection callings.”  And with that, the group disappeared once again.

It was not lost on any of them why Kade had spoken as he did.  If the Apprentice Chosen could have seen the Master Chosen, he would have seen the fire that was building in Doren’s eyes as he attempted to control his anger.  Kade could tell that Doren was furious from the gasp he let out.  It almost sounded like he had been hit in the gut.  Did he push too far?  Was the Master Chosen going to explode in rage?  Even though Doren could not see, Kade winced.  He looked toward the entrance, hoping Ven would not take too long.

“Kade,” Doren said in a tone that made him cringe.  “We are going to have a very firm talk, when we have time.  You forget your place,” he said, all civility gone.  For him to vent so strongly in front of the others was an obvious indication of just how angry he was.  “You are an apprentice, and if you want to continue on the path of the Chosen, you will respect our ways.  While you are an apprentice, you will do as you are instructed.”  Although his words definitely indicated his displeasure, it was how he emphasized certain words as he spoke them that really hit hard.  Darcienna inhaled sharply at the strong rebuke.

Kade cringed.  He was grateful for the transparency calling.  It would buy him the precious few moments he needed before deciding how to deal with this.  He was not sure if he should stand his ground, or give in.  He was still an apprentice, and Doren was correct that as an apprentice, he was bound to submit to the Master Chosen but to be handicapped by tradition and custom at this moment was debilitating.  He believed that with all that had transpired, Doren was not going to pull rank, but there it was.  Not only did he need to deal with Morg and the monsters, but he had to deal with Doren, also?  He shook his head in anger and ground his teeth.  Doren was waiting for a response and Kade’s mind was blank.  He just could not submit at this time.  Not yet.

“Kade…,” Doren said in an ominous tone, but before he could say much more, Ven rushed into the cave.

“Kade!” Ven exclaimed in near panic as she changed form.  “His army is only hours behind.  It’s massive.  They come.  There are many individual creatures that would rival even the dragon.”

“Then we need to go now,” Kade said, recovering from the verbal assault that Doren was preparing.  “All out and onto the dragon,” Kade commanded as he exited the cave.  “Follow my voice.  I cannot take the chance that we might be seen.  We will have to mount the dragon as we are,” he said while reaching out, hoping to find Darcienna.

“I must stay here to ensure that the arch stays safe,” Doren said.  “Leave the Transparency Calling but let the Silence Calling go, Kade.”  I will work with the king when he arrives.

“Be careful,” Kade said to Doren as he drew the power from the Silence Calling.

“Kade, you have the ability to stop him.  I can only delay him.  You must stop him or we are all lost.  Go,” Doren said.  “If you fail, I will destroy the arch…if I am able.”

Rayden, come.  We need to go quickly,
Kade sent. 
Come to the entrance, but try to keep from disturbing the ground.  We must not be seen. 

Kade expected a roar, but there was nothing.  Rayden was definitely in stealth mode.  His roar would have been unheard by the ants due to the Silence Calling, but Kade was grateful for not having to clear his ringing ears after one of those blasts.

“Stay by the entrance until the dragon lands,” Kade said as he turned.  His breath was caught in his throat as he realized Ven was still visible.  He lunged at her, throwing her back through the illusion.  He stood and quickly cast both the Transparency Calling and then the Silence Calling.  She winked out of sight, but not before he could move to grab her arm.  “Change for the ride,” he commanded. 

“Head west,” Ven said.  “The mountain Drell should be about three hours away on the dragon,” she said and then shifted.  She melted in his hands and then swung up to cling to his neck in her monkey form.

“Rayden,” Kade called just as he heard the flapping of wings.  The dragon lowered to the ground, causing dust to rise into the air.  It could not be helped.  Hopefully, any ants still in the distance would only see this as a small dust storm.  Kade could feel a gentle thud as the dragon touched down.  “Everyone mount,” he said as he worked his way forward with his hands out. 

It was a little disorganized, at first, but they were able find their places without too much of a delay.  Ven hugged Kade tightly and laid her head against his neck as she prepared for the launch.  Kade put a hand on her back and could not shake the feeling that she enjoyed being held.  He was still certain she did not mean it in the sense that Darcienna did when she had her arms around him, but nevertheless, it was something to consider.

“Here we go,” Kade said, giving everyone a chance to prepare for the launch.

After a moment, he gave the dragon the mental command to take to the air.  Rayden turned, made several powerful lunges and then leapt.  The wings came out and pumped hard as the dragon’s head and tail bobbed with each powerful thrust.  Darcienna had her arms wrapped tightly around Kade’s midsection.  It took the wind out of him until she was able to relax her grip.  Kade gave a grunt and then resituated himself.

“Rakna,” Kade called over the wind, “tell the king that he must get to the cave now.  By the time he gets there, the ants should be gone.  He will need to hold the cave at all cost,” he said as his eyes scanned the horizon.  “Let him know that Doren will be there waiting for him.”

Kade gave the dragon the mental command to head west.  Rayden banked sharply and then leveled off, continuing to pump hard to gain altitude.  Kade’s stomach lurched.  One of these times he was going to lose his meal, but fortunately, it was not going to be this time.

Rayden continued to climb until the trees looked like small bushes.  As Kade scanned the horizon, a movement caught his eye.  The ground appeared to be shifting.  He paused, trying to make out the shapes that covered the landscape.  He leaned forward slightly as he forced his eyes to focus.

“Kade?” Darcienna asked, feeling him tense.  “What is it?”

“Do you see?” Kade asked, a sense of helplessness threatening to crush his hopes. “Do you see?” he repeated in awe.  Darcienna gasped.  “Rakna?” Kade called over the wind.

Kade!
  She said in his mind so strongly that he winced. 
There are so many! 
It was like a dagger of thought in his mind.  This was the first time he had felt true fear from the queen. 

“There are thousands,” Kade said in a whisper too quietly to be heard.  The wind took his voice away.  He swallowed hard and took in a deep breath.  “There are thousands,” he yelled.

How can we hope to survive?
the queen asked in his mind.  It was not quite desperation, but it was not far off. 
The spiders cannot defeat this army. There are many creatures large enough to wipe out a good portion of the clutch by themselves,
she thought in despair.

“Did the clutch make it to the cave yet?” Kade called to the queen. 

They have just arrived,
the queen sent.

“Advise the king to let Doren know so he can prepare.  The Master Chosen is going to be pushed to his very limits.  I just hope he has callings that can hold them off,” Kade said to the queen.  After a moment, Rakna responded. 

Doren says our only hope is to break the link.

“What link?” Kade yelled back.

Doren says they are all controlled by Morg through a calling
. 
That is the only reason so many answer to him.  If you can take the staff, you can break the link.  If the link if broken, they will, most likely, disperse and go back to where they came from.  Break…the…link.
  Kade recalled the giant Alluvium that was under Morg’s control and knew what Doren was trying to explain.

Kade turned to face forward as they crossed over the leading edge of the army.  Several turned their attention to the sky as if sensing the presence passing overhead.  They paused only momentarily and then continued on with their slow march toward the cave.  All riders watched in awe at the army that passed below.

“Warn the king,” Kade called back to the white spider.

“There is only one way they are going to survive,” Darcienna called to Kade.  The Apprentice Chosen cringed.

“I am aware,” Kade called back.  “We will prevail,” he said, putting as much strength in his words as he could.  If any doubted what he said, they kept it to themselves.

Kade felt Ven push from him and turn to sit on the dragon.  Her form shifted and began to grow.  It took only a moment for her to solidify into her birth form.  Kade moved his hands to make sure they were not in the wrong places.  Ven caught his hand at her waist as he was sliding it back and held it in place. 

“I need to be in this form to talk.  Please keep me from falling,” Ven said.  Kade was certain that she meant what she said, but there was no way he was going to convince Darcienna that it was purely innocent.  He was grateful that none could see.  “That is the mountain we are headed for,” Ven said.  Kade felt her shift as she pointed.  Off in the distance was a mountain that rose so high that a good portion of it was shrouded in clouds.  “We still need to climb.  The entrance is much higher, yet,” Ven added.  Kade sent the information to Rayden and the dragon put everything it had into climbing.

Rayden continued to pump his wings hard, struggling to gain altitude.  Kade could feel exhaustion though the link.  Without being able to glide, the dragon was going to wear out quickly.  Kade prayed to the Divine for the dragon to be able to hold out long enough to reach the mountain. 

He felt a knot in his stomach as the mountain continued to grow.   It was immense, easily dwarfing any other in all directions for as far as the eye could see.  It was where the fate of this world was going to be decided.

“Around the back is a way in that is rarely used,” Ven said over her shoulder.  “But, we will need to climb much higher than this, Kade.”

Rayden, we need to climb,
Kade sent the dragon.  Rayden pumped his wings and struggled to go higher but to no avail.  The dragon had reached its limit as it put everything it had into just maintaining the current altitude.  Rayden was breathing hard and had no choice but to level off.  This was the best he was going to do.  Unfortunately, the rest had to be on foot.  The air was just too thin for the dragon to continue on as it labored to breathe.