• Screams were heard as the building across the street collapsed under the heat of the flames. Soon Melkor’s whole army would be upon them. Sevelion pulled together what was left of his strength and ran out the door. The night air was thick with black smoke and the bloodthirsty cries of Melkor’s evil minions, Kaurlgs, hung in the air, signaling pending death to anyone near.

    People ran for their lives in a crazed attempt to escape the burning village. Sevelion ran through the mob, dodging flames and arrows, being careful not to damage the precious cargo hidden under his cloak. The fate of the entire kingdom of Ethyricia rested in his hands. He had to deliver his cargo safely to the capital city Amithia.

    A large Kaurlg reared its ugly head, blocking Sevelion from escape. The Kaurlg attacked Sevelion with its makeshift sword. Out of instinct, Sevelion threw out a wave of magic fire, instantly destroying the creature. Sevelion dropped to his knees; that last bit of magic had been too much for him to bear. He had to keep going. Dazed, but breathing, he got up and continued to run.

    Sevelion cringed as he stepped on a piece of hot ash. He no longer had the energy to heal himself. All that mattered now was that his charge be delivered. He rounded the corner; escape was near, but his heart sank, for standing between him and the city gate was the evil sorcerer himself.

    “Melkor,”Sevelion muttered under his breath.

    “ Young Sevelion, what a pleasure to be meeting you at last. Your parents talked a great deal about you before they died,” said Melkor

    “You mean before you killed them,” Sevelion replied through clenched teeth.

    “Yes, about that, those things happen. Hope you didn’t take it personally though.”Melkor said as he toyed with his sword.

    Sevelion, full of anger, threw a bolt of magical energy at Melkor, but Melkor deflected it as if he was swatting away a fly. Sevelion fell to the ground, his power gone. Melkor chuckled as he walked over to him. With his sword raised and an evil grin on his face, he towered over Sevelion.

    “Victory,”he declared.

    “Yes, but not yours,”Sevelion said. Clutching the bundle hidden in his cloak, he gathered all that was left in him and cried out “Mele an kenar zca! ”

    With a flash of light he was gone.