Free Beyond the Cherry Tree by Joe O'Brien

heard outside the room.
    Norlif looked at Bortwig and then at Josh. Bortwig jumped to his feet and stood in front of Josh. The doors of the room crashed open and a hideous, fearsome creature thrashed its way across the floor. Josh cringed back in alarm.
    ‘How did this creature escape? Surround it!’ shouted Norlif with great authority.
    ‘What is that, Bortwig?’ Josh shook out.
    Norlif answered him, ‘A dragolyte! We netted it as it strayed past the forest. Krudon used his evil sorcery to create them from the ashes of the last of the black and red dragons of Mount Erzkrin. They are smaller than dragons, but lethal nonetheless, and as loyal to Krudon as dogs to their masters. Instead of breathing fire, they spit burning bullets of hot rock ash. But not this one! I’ve had its gut sealed with magical pine gum and its wings snapped. The only weapons it possesses now are its claws, sharp teeth and hatred – great hatred.’
    Norlif turned from Josh and slowly walked over to thecreature, watching it as it fixed its evil, damning eyes upon Josh and Josh alone.
    The creature opened its jaws. Josh could feel its hatred, hatred so intense that his nose began to bleed.
    ‘Norlif!’ called Bortwig.
    Norlif turned to see Josh holding his hand to his nose and quickly turned to the creature to divert its evil.
    ‘He sent you, didn’t he? And you failed him, didn’t you?’
    The dragolyte fixed its eyes upon Norlif.
    ‘You’ve been searching for the boy, tirelessly, and now he is before you, and you cannot carry out your master’s evil instructions. Yes! You know you failed him. Krudon would have your hide lowered into the witches’ cauldron and mixed with disgusting cankerous syrup for the witches to sip upon.’
    The dragolyte raged inside, and returned its evil eyes to Josh.
    Josh jumped backwards.
    ‘What’s he mean, he was searching for me, Bortwig?’ He looked to the elf. ‘Why would Krudon send him after me?’
    Bortwig was about to speak when suddenly the dragolyte screeched out in agony as it tried to move its wings – its eyes still fixed upon Josh.
    Norlif feared for the boy’s safety. He looked up to the gathering of elves above him and gestured to one near the edge. The tree elf swung down from the balcony and landedon the creature’s back. Great rage and excitement filled the room as elf and dragolyte thrashed across the floor. Every time the evil creature cast its eyes toward Josh, the elves’ bows tightened and swords and spears took aim on Norlif’s command.
    Josh’s insight into Bortwig’s people had changed. He realised now that they were not just kindly tree elves, but proud and rebellious creatures. They were quite fearless too.
    The brave elf was hurt. Blood poured from his chest in the place where the dragolyte had ripped across with its swiping claws.
    ‘Time!’ called Norlif, as if boredom was nagging him.
    With a powerful leap and a lightning slash, the elf jumped on the dragolyte and severed its head clean from its body. Josh felt light-headed and saw the room start to spin.

Chapter 12
Heckrin’s Pass
    J osh’s sleep was a long, deep one filled with neither dreams nor expectations of what the next day, or even the day after, might bring. As his senses slowly awakened , Josh could feel warmth settling on his face. The rising sun pierced light through his eyelids, revealing intricate flashing patterns.
    This was nice, peaceful, non-chaotic – unlike recent happenings . Josh was in no hurry to open his eyes and end his rest. No; he would lie still for just a few more minutes even though he could now hear voices and busy goings-on and fuss around him. But a few minutes were not to be as the warmth quickly left his cheeks and shade once again covered his eyes. A different kind of warmth fell upon him. It wasn’t nice warmth like the soothing glow from the sun, but a kind of running, slimy, smelly warmth. It trickled down his forehead and across his eyelids, then came to