Thanks for the comments, they are appreciated, and another story would be great, Ele.
Well, as Headshot is temporarily out of the way, I think it's safe to post another part of the story.
(Warning: contains blood, gore and cruelty to wildlife.)
To follow the star
“What was your plan? What should we do now, Dark Elf?” Isilmir hated to ask his companion for directions, but he was at loss of what to do just now. He had little knowledge of these seas and as much as he told himself it would probably be better if the Dark Elf died, the idea of being alone didn’t appeal to him.
“Follow Helkhar at night for at least one more day and hope for the best,” His wounded companion managed a rueful smile. Their luck so far was not what anyone could call “best”.
“Helkhar?” Isilmir asked, confused.
Adnezar sighed as he searched his memory for the half forgotten word. “Elcariel. Yes, Elcariel,” he said aloud at length.
“The Ice Queen,” Isilmir muttered. “But the coast is there,” he pointed to the south, where western sun lighted the ragged outline of the Annulii mountains with fire.
“Want to brave the... Cursed Isles... at night?” the Druchii smirked. “Are you that desperate, or...?”
“Perhaps I am, Dark Elf.” Isilmir retorted, frowning. “How am I supposed to get the boat anywhere alone?”
“How... reassuring.” the Druchii said, his breaking voice dripping sarcasm. ‘Trust me, I’d love to help, but as it is, I have to leave matters in your capable hands.’
“Do you want me to tell you all will be nice and cosy?” Isilmir spat angrily. “You shouldn’t let the drake bite your arm off then. There is not much I can do about it now.”
The Dark Elf started to cough. ‘Or perhaps,’ Isilmir shook his head in disbelief, ‘he actually laughed.’ Isilmir didn’t see any humour in it. He turned his head away, scanning the horizon. Nothing disturbed the blue and white of the waves.
"What is your name?" Isilmir asked abruptly, breaking the silence. Only now he realized the man never told him and he never cared to ask. But now he felt the need to know. Looking at him, he was sure there was a good chance for him to die. And if he was to see him off on his last journey, he wanted to do it properly. Druchii or not, the man deserved at least that from him.
He just didn't know whether his companion would see it in the same way. The Dark Elf didn't seem to be very happy with his new acquitance and he was very reluctant to talk of anything but business to him or poor Eldrik so far. But the Druchii surprised him. "Adnezar," he whispered. "Alairi Adnezar." He closed his dark eyes.
"Would you... do me a favour?”
Isilmir raised an eyebrow, fully expecting to hear more sarcasm. It was all getting on his nerves, really.
"If you get to your people, leave me to the sea," Adnezar whispered.
Isilmir noted with wry amusement he didn't say 'your land'. Not even now was he ready to admit that his kind had no right to Ulthuan any more. But of course, he knew very well what kind of reception he’d get there.
"I will do what I can, Adnezar," the High Elf promised, knowing it was most probably not going to be his greatest problem, even if the Dark Elf lived that long. He will do what he can all right, but first he has to try and get the boat to land. Of the two of them the one who really knew how to sail was lying in a pool of his own blood.
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Monstrous head broke the surface as silently as a ghost, then the water started to rain down with roar of a waterfall. When drops of water started to fall in his face, Adnezar sprang into action. He changed the course of the boat so sharply that it leaned hard to the starboard to avoid crashing right into the creatures snakelike neck. He shouted at his staggering companions to prepare for a fight. Although, he hoped the beast was just curious. It happened, sometimes.
The monster dived back under the water and the long shadow of its body swam under the keel. There was no escaping it. The Dark Elf righted the boat and secured it in its course. He stroke the wood. 'Be a good girl,' he whispered to the vessel. 'Get us out safely.'
Then he was away and ready for whatever was to happen. The boat swayed madly as the beast reappeared, this time to strike.
Eldrik and Isilmir threw themselves aside as it came at them and Adnezar could do nothing but hope that the boat will be quick enough not to be crushed to pieces under the monstrous body. He saw it in great detail. It was a magnificent beast, at least fifty feet long, black streaked with purple and in its eyes was cold fire. Hunting, or playing. Not that it made a difference. It vanished under the waves in their wake and he knew he had a few seconds to guess where it will resurface.
If it broke the mast, they were finished. If it decided to bite into the hull, they were finished. He maneuvred again and the drake's head brushed the port where Eldrik and the Rebel Elf now stood. Eldrik shouted something in his language and stroke the bottom of the head just as Isilmir tried the same from the other side of. It whipped around and Eldrik screamed as its long teeth caught him and threw him into the air. Adnezar willed the ship to move faster as the scream was cut short as Eldrik fell into the water. The drake dived after the Man.
Isilmir stared after it and Adnezar tried to lead the boat away as fast as he could.
“It will be back!” he shouted at the Elf through the sprays of water that seemed to be hanging in the air. It was. It stroke again, dripping blood from its mouth and Isilmir dodged it by mere inches as he tried to make it some harm with his sword. It was a good strike, but he could just as well beat it with a stick. Of course, all they could do wouldn’t be enough to drive the monster away. One wrong move and it will be over. Adnezar felt rage rise within him. The serpent was not going to stop him now. It took little effort to see they were never going to cut deep enough through its scales with their laughable weapons. No, once he joined the fight, he’ll have to go for a weaker spot - well, not exactly weaker.
He spoke to the boat again as he left his place at the helm. There was no point waiting, he had to do it now. He broke into the run, guessing where the bloody thing will break the surface this time. Duly, the monstrous head appeared, ready to strike. But Adnezar was no Human. He leaped and his left hand gripped one of the ragged horns at the side of the creature's head. With his right he thrust the sword up into its mouth. He felt it strike the flesh and bone and slide deep inside. Then he released his grip on it. A fraction of second too late. The thing reared and tore with its sabre-like teeth into his flesh. And then he was falling, together with the trashing beast, they hit the surface and he was, his arm still trapped in the sea drake's mouth, dragged beneath the water.
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Adnezar woke up gasping for air. He was not in the water any more, but he still felt like drowning. Someone put spare sailcloth under his head, but it wasn't enough.
He struggled to sit, to ease his breathing. "Don't," came Isilmir's tired voice from somewhere near in the darkness. "Look, Elcariel is almost at the horizon. The day is near."
Indeed, Helkhar's cold, bluish light was just visible over the railing.
He tried to speak and started to cough instead. He knew what it meant. He's seen it often enough.
Definitely continue! This should be interesting.
