Short Story Of Count Nightburn's Journey

He had lost his best friend, Garland, in Banniff when he tried to prevent the old one from burning the city to the ground. Now, the only thing left standing was the keep, magically protected from the old one’s wrath, and sealed away from Banniff’s conquerors by Nightburn before his departure. Cross knew the old one had no intention of sharing Heczar and it would burn every last city, turning the continent into a barren wasteland. This was all because of Count Nightburn and because of his transgressions, Cross would find him and make sure that the kingdoms of the world held him accountable. He would make every effort to ensure that when they executed him for his evil deeds, it will be a long and painful. Yes, he would pay for what he’d
He foolishly convinced himself that if he could slay an old one, the gods would bring back his family that they so wrongly had taken from him.”
“Why should this interest me?”
“Well, I told him that there was only one person with the power to bring back his family from the dead and that person would be Count Nightburn.”
“Ah, I see where you are going with this, Professor Kinnock.” Nightburn turned to General Reeper. “Yes, it is true that I could bring back your family if I so desired. I could bring them back the same as the day they took them from you, but why should I do such a thing?”
When General Reeper looked at him, Nightburn could see that he was a tormented man. “Whatever you want I will do. I will serve as your General, your second in command, or even a foot soldier if you would like, my Lord, if you would only bring back my family. I will make a pact, swear my loyalty to you or do whatever you wish if you would do such a thing. I swear to be eternally grateful.”
“Interesting. You think you could serve me, General Reeper?”
“I do, Count Nightburn.”
“Is your service the only thing you have to offer in exchange for such a valuable
I don’t really know what he is but definitely not Elf. He’s a Dwarf, I think, although, something is definitely different about him from the description that Cross gave me.”
“Have you ever crossed swords with him?”
“I, personally have not, but General Cross has. I remember he told me after his encounter, he’d prefer not to face him in battle again.”
“What of the elemental warrior?”
“Ashlend is Elvish descent, known by many as the demon of fire because of his complete control over the element of fire, and carries an Elvish sword that no one has seen the like of before, wielding it artfully to slice through armor like a hot knife through butter.”
“Describe this Elf.”
“I have never seen him, but those who have, say that he is a very tall for an Elf, never wearing armor for protection, only dressing in elegant clothing, and rumored to have some special defensive skill preventing enemy blows and arrows from finding their mark, thus, never wounded in battle. Nor do many remember him because whenever he has taken to the battlefield, the opposing armies have always lost and with their defeat, he vanishes. That is all I’ve heard, my Lord.”
“Ashlend, you say, controls the element of