The woodlands lay in complete darkness ahead of them, no insects buzzed or night birds called out to break the silence. Sorrow led the way, a grey ghost in the shadowy recesses among the trees. He scouted ahead, eyes and ears alert for danger. The others followed as best they could, staying close in the pitch black of the woods. Once the wolf-dog alerted them to a party of Goblyns in the trees ahead of them and they had to double back. Jerth and Jakth led the children silently through the maze of trees and dense shrubbery. Skirting the area where the Goblyns were, they found another path and continued cautiously on their way.
Soon the trees started to thin out a little, marking the edge of the woodland. George told them that they should follow the tree line and try to find the stream, they could use it to trace the path back to where Rosewing and the Dwarves had been camped. He glanced up at the bulk of the hillside, just visible in the gloom, scanning it for any sign of the encampment. But there was none. He hoped they were still there, and had not tried to rejoin the Elves down in the valley. He feared that they would need their help if they were going to carry out their part of the plan.
The sound of running water tumbling across the rocks alerted them to the presence of the stream. ‘I will go first,’ said Jerth leading them on to the vague pathway that led upwards alongside the stream. ‘My eyesight is better that yours in the dark. Hold on to my coat tail and watch your step. ’ The others followed suit. Holding on to cloaks and belts they wound their way up the hillside. Jakth followed behind, with Sorrow walking between the children and the stream, steering them away for the edge if they stepped too close. Once he let out a low growl, yellow eyes looking off into the distance.
They crouched down, trying to conceal themselves as best they could, eyes sweeping their surroundings for danger. Suddenly one of the bat creatures dropped from the clouds, its screeched loudly into the night, as its rider steered it into a low swooping glide out over the forest. But it was heading away from them and soon passed from sight out across the valley. Down below, where their house had once been, the dark keep of Ravens Bane still belched its evil sorcery out into the countryside, and in the swirling mists that surrounded it, fires could be seen blazing.
They continued slowly upwards, taking great care on the slippery grass and moss covered stones. A rocky outcrop appeared out of the gloom, Jerth pulled them up suddenly as Sorrow stopped and whined softly. They drew their weapons and turned to face whatever the wolf dog had sensed. Sorrow relaxed as a shadowy figure detached itself from its hiding place in the huddle of rocks and moved towards them. ‘It is good to see you again children, but I sent you away to seek safety. ’ came a melodic voice the children instantly recognised.
‘Rosewing,’ Jessica called. ‘It’s okay, it’s Rosewing, she’s an Elf. she told the Gnomes who had moved, weapons raised, to intercept the figure. ‘Come with me,’ she said, stepping closer so they could see her clearly. She led them into the shelter of the outcrop where the rest of the Dwarf warriors were hidden, crossbows at the ready. A heavy canvas had been fixed between the rocks and camouflaged with moss and bracken, from above it would have been almost invisible.
One of the Elven lamps cast a muted light over the area. ‘We had to move our position,’ Rosewing explained. ‘Ravengaard’s creatures began flying overhead not long after you left. It became too dangerous to remain out in the open. They seated themselves on the ground, gathering around the lamp. Introductions were made and Rosewing had water and a little food brought over. ‘So what are you doing back here? I thought you safe with Ceridwen by now,’ Rosewing asked worriedly. Danielle explained all that had happened since they had left, and of the plans that had been put in motion to stop Ravengaard. ‘We have to be in position above Ravens Bane before first light. ’ Danielle told her. ‘That only gives us a short time to act,’ Rosewing said. She stood and went over to the Dwarves, explaining what they were going to do.
Moments later they were ready to go. ‘We will accompany you to the place you need to be,’ said the Elven Princess. ’We will guard against any attack that might come. ’ ‘Thank you,’ said Danielle. They set out once more, trekking across the open hillside, eyes turned to the heavens, hoping that the low cloud and drizzling rain would keep them hidden from the flying things. The group was making good progress when they were ambushed by a Goblyn scouting party. They appeared so suddenly out of the mist and rain, that even Sorrow did not detect them until it was too late.
Heavily armoured, and armed to the teeth, they fell on the group. A fierce battle ensued and several Dwarves fell before Rosewing and the others began to turn the tide. The children, the Qaril brothers, and Sorrow fought fiercely alongside them. Using a mixture of magic and heroics they managed to rout the enemy and dispatch most of them. But just as it looked like they had been lucky, one of the bat-things rose up through the mist. Alerted by the sound of battle it had swooped low over the hillside. The children and the others fell back in horror as the beast’s dark bulk hung motionless in front of them.
Then before anyone could react the rider urged it forward. Huge talons outstretched and it snatched at Rosewing before she could flee. Sorrow threw himself at the creature, jaws snapping, but one of its leathery wings brushed the wolf dog aside, hurling him back to the hillside. George lunged for her hoping to snatch her from the beast, but he was forced to dive for cover as the rider loosed an arrow in his direction. The Dwarves brought their crossbows to bear, but fear of hitting the Elven Princess stayed their hand. Rosewing struggled, trying to break free, in the process dropping her sword.
It was useless, the vice-like grip tightened around her and she was lifted into the air. Below she saw the others, unsure of what to do, unable to fire at the fleeing creature for fear of hitting her. The children watched in startled disbelief, as the creature circled and headed down into the valley. They knew where it was heading. Rosewing was being taken to the Warlocks lair. ‘We need to rescue her,’ shouted George. ‘There’s nothing we can do,’ Danielle said, a little too sharply. ‘Even if we could get into the tower, we haven’t enough time. In a couple of hours, we are going to have to send Castle Ravens Bane back into the darkness. ’
