Prologue Revised

Before The End Time

            Atop a hill over looking the burning fortress of Renaut stood a lone figure outlined against the night. As she turned to take one last look at the falling city, the moon lit up her beautiful face. Tears escaped from the amber eyes of Práe, Queen of Renaut. Her chest heaved in despair, and she clutched the small bundle she cradled to her chest. She shuddered as the ground shook beneath her, and the white Musédu markings that wound about her body flashed with light. A few miles from where she stood explosions ripped through the city she and her husband had worked so hard to build.

A country of peace, her thought mocked. She clenched her fists in bitter anger.

Another explosion, this one battering the citadel gates, jarred her teeth. She should be moving, running as fast as she could for the sake of the secret she carried. Yet, she could not muster the strength to flee into the night. Her husband, Aëros, had amassed his army East of the city in order to draw away the brunt of the enemy forces’ assault so there was a greater chance of her escape north. Her heart longed for the Man who had given everything for her. She wanted to run to him and take her place with him on the battlefield. It would be better to die, than to flee, even if she couldn’t wield a weapon. Her knees gave out as the sound of Aëros’s horn broke the silence, and she dropped to her hands and knees. Papers spilled out of the bundle as it hit the ground with a soft thud.
            I can’t give up here. After all the years we worked for this… I cannot abandon my responsibility as Queen. She scolded herself. Summoning her determination and hardening her heart, she gathered the papers.

“I will be with you soon my husband, if only in whatever waits beyond this life.” She muttered into the wind as she turned her back on the burning town.

***

            King Aëros of Renaut had gathered his army around a hill just west of the plains that stretched east towards another of the four island countries, Asturia, and north towards Kromier and Shrõel. He had not marshaled his whole army to face the coming onslaught, because it would not have mattered. They were all about to face death or torture. He hoped it was death, for he could not bear to think of the men who volunteered to stay with him being tortured until they were broken. Their faces looked up at him now as he gripped his sword in frustration.

            “A group of only one hundred or so men are marching this way sir, it was hard to get an exact count while I flew overhead. The rest have stayed behind to sack the city, and to begin searching for the p… the survivors.” The Drahson finished nervously, scales glimmering in the moonlight as he shifted his weight from one clawed foot to the other. He had been about to say plans, which the Queen had, but Aëros didn’t have time to reflect on his decisions now.

            “So be it. If they are willing to send a hundred of their soldiers to their deaths so easily, then our luck may not have run dry after all. Lieutenant, take all of the Ègleese and Drahson with as many bows and quivers as you can find and distract the main force from pursuing the plans.” He said calmly, though his eyes rang of the words he had wanted to say. Stop them from pursuing the Queen; the plans could burn if she escaped.
            “The rest of you,” he continued after the Lieutenant bowed out, “ will follow me into battle. Once we are done slaying these one hundred fools, we will go to support the men distracting the main Draëden army.”

            The same thoughts that haunted his mind echoed in the eyes of every soldier present. Were the Draëden the fools, or would one hundred soldiers prove Aëros foolish. In the end Aëros decided it didn’t matter, and began issuing battle orders.

            “Captain, get your Ogres and The Brahken to the front of the lines. I want these idiotic Draëden crushed before they even get a chance to defile my blade with their blood.” The bluish-green ten foot tall Ogre nodded with somber acceptance as he stomped back to his soldiers.

            “The rest of you,” he said, to the remaining Musédu, Elves, Dwarves, and Humans like himself, “Will follow me into the battle. After the Brahken and Ogres break their lines they will be targets so easy to dispose of that a blind peasant lad could do it.” His words sounded hollow to him, but they seemed to produce confidence in his men. If I’m wrong…we’re dead. Hell, if I’m right we will probably be dead by sunset tomorrow.

            The Drahson departed, and soon the Ègleese, with a burst of feathery wings, joined them in the sky. Aëros helped his men form up the lines; he had three hundred foot soldiers. Surely the odds are in are favor. He kept telling himself that until he felt at ease. Through the black fur that covered the bodies of the tall Brahken he could see the Draëden approaching.

            It is time.

            “MOVE OUT!” The Colonel beside him screamed as Aëros drew his long steel sword from its leather sheathe. 

            They moved in perfect formation. The Brahken and Ogres were slightly in front of Aëros and the rest of his men had fallen slightly behind him. The Ogres pounded the ground with their slow, heavy steps; the Brahken, with their incredibly slim bodies moved with much softer movements. However, both ate up the distance equally as fast, forcing Aëros and his men to trot to keep up.

            When they were about halfway to the Draëden the Ogres began to stampede with their massive swords and axes held high over their heads. The Brahken dropped to all fours, carrying no weapons, and sprinted forward much like the wolves they were related to. Though, the Brahken were much taller and more civilized, when standing on two legs. Aëros felt the anxiety and anticipation ease from his muscles as he joined the charge. They were less than ten yards from the Draëden, and yet the demons still hadn’t drawn their weapons.

 Are they really this incompetent?

            An explosion ripping through the ranks of Ogres and Brahken answered his question. He tried to stop, but it was too late and he had to dodge the burning bodies of the soldiers as they fell screaming in pain… what was left of them anyway.  Another explosion ripped through the ground behind him catapulting him forward. He landed on his back only a few feet from the Draëden line, and luckily he still had his sword in hand.

            He rolled backwards to his feet and backed slowly away from the Draëden. His knees wobbled, but they held him. He spared a quick glance back at his forces, and he saw that he had no forces left. The only ones left alive were burning and for the most part missing limbs.
            Three hundred… The words echoed in his ringing head. He turned his head back towards the Draëden and stared dumbfounded at the creatures. They had halted in their march… he could have sworn none of them had even moved to throw bombs. Plus, he hadn’t seen any fly through the air.

            He shivered, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end as a chilling laugh filled the air. One by one by one the Draëden soldiers just vanished, they had been an illusion. The man who was laughing had been standing directly in the middle of the hundred apparitions.

            “Pardon me sire,” The man sneered as his chuckling subsided. He smiled a haunting smile at the king and mocked a curtsy. “Its just that I found your situation suddenly unbearably hilarious; the mighty king of a country no longer his own, and the bright commander of a dead army. Ah… nobles and their noble notions. You should have surrendered when I first gave you the chance, but you and your noble nobility thought you could win this war. What do you say now? If you surrender I won’t kill you, and I may even let that pretty little wife go unharmed. Sounds like a good deal to me. How about you oh King?”

            The man smiled that horrible smile again and waited. His straight white hair that fell down to his shoulder blades covered one eye. The other eye was crimson and the madness that danced inside of it should have warned any sane man to surrender.

            “You know my answer Darean,” The King answered, refusing to call the man Emperor. “Ever since you began manipulating the dead bodies of my people into your control I vowed to do everything in my power to stop you. I care not if you kill me, for sooner or later you will be stopped. You are nothing more than a warmongering necromancer with cheap parlor tricks.” The smile on Darean’s face didn’t disappear, as Aëros had wanted. It actually seemed to widen, if that were at all possible.

            “Well that’s not entirely doing justice to the might of your army. We both know it took a little more than cheap parlor tricks to grind it into mush even a peasants pig would disregard. I had hoped you would give up being so nobly noble, but I can see it is stuck in your stubborn head to die. So be it, I am more than happy to oblige.”

            He slid a crimson sword out of the sheathe hanging across his back and lowered the blade till the curved point was just above the ground. Aëros held his sword in the ready stance that had always given him the advantage in the duals he had previously been in. His breath caught in his chest, as Darean launched forth with speed no mortal man could match. He barely parried the slash that would have cut him in two. His bones chilled as Darean began laughing again.

            Darean was toying with him. Aëros realized this, but it offered no comfort since he was struggling to block even these playful strikes. He gritted his teeth and focused on staying alive.
            There has to be a weakness in his technique somewhere!

            He thought he found it when, instead of blocking, he ducked and Darean’s sword arced wide enough for him to attack. Seizing the only chance he was ever likely to get Aëros struck straight at the Emperors chest and prayed for the best. The shattering of his sword on the black armor Darean was wearing was not what he had prayed for, but at least Darean’s smile had disappeared.

            Blast it all I should have gone for his head!

            With a snarl of rage Darean kicked Aëros’s kneecaps in crippling him with pain and breaking bones.

            “Look me in the eyes,” Darean growled, “Don’t even bother thinking of mercy, for you or your wife. Once I catch her, and believe me I will, she will feel your pain.”
            Aëros hadn’t even thought of mercy, one look at those crazed eyes destroyed any hope of that. Instead, Aëros thought of the afterlife.

            If there is one, I hope all that I’ve done to help create peace in this world will at least grant me the reprieve of seeing Práe again after she escapes this crazed warlord. If she escapes this crazed warlord.

            His thoughts were interrupted by Darean pushing Aëros backwards, grinding the bones in his leg together. Aëros screamed in agony, and he did not care. His time at playing the hero was over. Why should he care who saw him scream in pain. Darean forced Aëros to look up, and smiled gleefully at the pain in the King’s eyes. The he plunged his sword through the Kings face and walked back towards his Army.
So passed Aëros first and last King of Renaut.

Memo to the reader

I’m editing/rewriting everything in my story so far. So I will not have anything new up until I post the revised versions of chapters.

Chapter 8

Awakening

          The Ègleese pushed forward over the red plains, they had not stopped for a break in a few hours. The only breaks that had come before that in their ten hour journey had been quick and hardly substantial. Michael, the stronger of the two, carried Regulous. Nicolai carried Allycea; she had collapsed two hours earlier. Darius was starting to fall behind. Braen had caught up with him. Darius wanted to ask to stop, but he was out of breath. Braen glanced over at him and tried to fake a smile through gritted teeth. The Ègleese suddenly began to slow and came to a stop on top of one of the few small hills sparsely scattered throughout the plains.

            “Do you see vhat?” Nicolai asked in his thick accent as he pointed towards the giant trees in the distance.

            “Y…y… yeah,” Allycea replied weakly from his shoulder.

            “Vhat is vhe forest of vhe Asturian Elves. Vhey can offer us protection for a time so Regulous can awake. If he doesn’t wake up, vhen maybe vhey can tell us what is wrong with him,” he replied to her, and then turned to face Darius and Braen.

            “What… does that… mean?” Darius asked, breathing heavily.

            “That means that we are flying ahead with Regulous and the girl. We will come back for you in a couple of hours. Take a break for now, but after that keep running towards the forest.” Michael interrupted, surprising even Nicolai.

            “But if we leave vhem here and the Draëden catch vhem, vhey will be slaughtered.” Nicolai argued, astonished by his ally’s plan.

            “If we don’t do this then we will take too long and we will all die anyway. THIS is the only way that we have a chance.” Michael retorted, desperation clear in his voice.

            “We… can… do it.” Darius said as confidently as he could manage.

            “Fine,” Nicolai sighed in defeat, “Here Darius and Braen, take vhese. If the Draëden catch up wivh you vhese will make you completely invisible for a short period of time. Vhat should allow for you to escape,” He said, giving two phials full of dark liquid to them.

            “How long will we have once we take these?” Darius questioned finally regaining his breath.

            “Those will keep you invisible for five minutes, that should give you time to get out of their way Be swift and quiet for those do not mask sound or smell.” Michael said urgently motioning to Nicolai that they needed to leave. Then he launched into the air.

            “Be careful,” Nicolai said he looked at Darius in a calculating way as if trying to decide if he really believed the boy could do it before following Michael. Darius watched as he and Allycea ascended into the darkening sky with the bursts of his powerful white wings.

            “Time fer uh rest eh, Darius?” Braen chuckled falling backwards onto the soft grass of the plains in exhaustion.

            “How did you do that back there Braen? You stood there without fear against the greatest evil most people have ever heard of. How?” Darius pleaded, far to aware of how his fear almost cost them their lives. He slowly sank to the ground beside Braen.

            “Well, me da’ spent a lot o’ time trainin’ me the take ‘is place one day. I know ‘ow tuh fight, but dat is not duh think dat made me fight. I stood against duh think dat was trying the take away everything I knew. Dat is enough the make me stand strong like a bear, like Boral, regardless of ‘ow scared I was.”

            “Oh… who is Boral?” Darius replied, letting the shockingly wise words of Braen sink in.

            “According to me da’ ‘e is duh greatest warrior of our tribe, duh tribe of duh Bear. ‘e is taller dan even you and he has duh strength o’ ten men. ‘is temper in times of strife is so fiery dat great warriors have fled from his mighty axe, leaving my clan alone on the battlefield. Me da’ and ‘e were said teh be from duh same litter o’ duh Great Bear. Dey ‘ad each other’s backs in every battle, shattering blades dat would o’ killed the other. I was even going teh be promised duh daughter of Boral, well, until the Shining Citadel asked for reinforcements. My da’ volunteered the lead a small troop o’ warriors the represent duh Bear tribe. A month or so after we left, duh third war o’ the clans broke out. Out o’ all the clans, only three still march under dere own banner, as far as I know. Dere is duh clan o’ scorpions, most are evil corrupt men. Dey ‘ave no ‘onor dey use assassins with poison tipped blades to kill leaders of other clans.  Dey are trying to establish control over all duh clans, but are very deceitful about it. My clan is fighting for its independence, but duh fight does not bode well. Our clan is small, but our people are proud, dey will not surrender.” Braen paused in reflection.

            “What is the third clan?” Darius asked after a moment.

            “Oh… duh clan o’ duh Dragon. Dey have slowly taken over duh other clans. Dey have thought fer many years dat duh Draëden would attack soon. Dey are trying teh put together an army the ‘elp Asturia. I guess dey were right after all. Hopefully dey can avoid duh snares o’ duh Scorpion tribe or Asturia may be doomed. Dey ‘ave been at war with my clan fer several years. Dere prince, I hear, is a mighty general…”

            “Shh…” Darius interrupted looking towards the West.

            “EY! You ask…”

            “SHUT UP BRAEN! I think I see something moving over there.” Darius slowly pointed off towards a far hill.

            Both of them flattened against the ground and stared at the blob on the far away hill. Sure enough, something moved. It was just an amorphous blob from this distance, but it was too big to be anything other than what they feared.

“We need to move… NOW!” Darius said urging Braen on.

***

            Fog seemed to enclose his mind, but his body still moved with intense speed. He was not willing it to move, someone else was controlling his body. Everything seemed to flash by his field of vision, or what he thought was his field of vision. The last thing he remembered was a horrible pain, and a sharp object implanting itself in his skull. The voice still haunted him, mocking his captain about a breaking storm.

            “I must catch that ghost and the survivors.” A thought that wasn’t his echoed through his mind.

            “Wh… what… ghost?” He asked the other.

            It didn’t respond but pain seared through his mind and the other seemed to be taking over.

            “Who are you?” He begged.

            “Ardulous” his mind echoed.

            The other was gaining control, ripping thoughts from his mind. He tried to remember something about himself, but couldn’t muster the strength. He couldn’t even recall his own name. Ardulous wasn’t it… it was something else. An image flashed into his mind of a boy with strange markings over his body. He remembered him, but he couldn’t recall from where.

            “You know him. I will take him from you. I will find him through you.” The sinister voice shredded across his consciousness.

            Pain ripped through his soul; ideas and thoughts were being ravaged and ransacked for some clue to the whereabouts of the strange boy. He resisted the other being, Ardulous, and slowly he regained control over a small part of his mind. Brol, the name flashed into his thoughts. He knew that name, his name, he remembered now.

            “You shall not resist me!”  The voice screamed, but the pain subsided.

            He remembered the boy now, Darius. He was from the village.

            “The Village!” his mind shouted. Visions of flames burned into his memory. His soul and spirit broke with the cries of the people dying in the town he swore to protect.

            “I shall resist you!” He screamed into the presence of the other as a new type of pain erupted into his soul. Regret.

***

            Nicolai pushed himself to keep moving. They had been flying for three hours straight, and not even the intense training his mentor Michael had given him prepared him for this. The girl seemed to have gained weight as they flew further over the vast plains below. They were nearing the edge of the forest, where he could finally rest even if only for an hour. Michael didn’t even seem to be sweating. Michael’s muscles bulged through the gaps in his armor, but no sweat was visible anywhere. Nicolai’s muscles strained against his light armor and sweat seemed to be poring from every orifice of his body. His mouth was dry and he would have killed for something to drink.

            The wind shifted direction with astounding violence throwing Michael and him off course. The mark on Regulous’s face flashed with brilliant light and then faded back into the dull marking. Michael motioned for them to land, and Nicolai followed him down to the edge of the forest.

            The wind whipped around again slamming Nicolai into the ground. Luckily his wings had been folding up or they probably would have been broken. Regulous screamed incoherently and his eyes flashed open with blinding light piercing the night around them. His body shook violently and then arched off the ground hovering slightly above the long blades of grass.

            “He is waking up!” Michael shouted with joy over the roar of Regulous’s cry. Nicolai set Allycea gently on the ground; she was asleep.

            The light slowly began to dim in the eyes of Regulous and his body fell to the ground. As his body hit the ground a powerful gale burst from his body, knocking Michael and Nicolai onto their backs once again. The trees groaned as the gale past through their massive numbers. His eyes remained open and he lay on the ground breathing heavily.

            “Where are the other two?” He said looking around slowly.

            “We had to leave them behind temporarily so we could get you and the girl to safety. We are going back for them as soon as we have a short break.” Michael said somehow breathing evenly.

            “YOU WHAT? Do you know what is chasing after them? It is far worse than any normal Draëden or even the new captain. Darean sent Aeled hunting Darius. The true Musédu race has all but died and he is one of the few links to one of the true Eldars of that race. If they find him death will seem like mercy within an hour of what they will do to him. If they find him, all will most likely be lost. The whole world will burn… what have you done Michael?”

            “I gave vhem some invisibility potions before we left vhem. Wivh vhose vhey should be able to avoid any real trouble. We already new of Aeled vhe young Musédu boy told us.” Nicolai said reassuringly trying to calm the fearsome Regulous.

            “You let them stay alone even after you knew about her!?! … Go on to the elves… I have no use for your incompetence right now. I will go back for the boys myself.”

            “Regulous, I realize you are angry, but we had no choice. We had to seek out a way to awaken you at all cost or all of us would have died. There is no need for you to go back for them alone. Nicolai, give me the girl. I will take her on so she can rest with the elves. You and Regulous will go back for the boys.” Michael said seemingly unaffected by Regulous’s anger.

            “Hm… fine. Come on Nicolai. We will have to race the very wind itself if we are to make it back in time.” Regulous conceded.

            Nicolai simply handed Allycea to Michael and took flight again. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep this up until someone would have to carry him to the elves on their back. He waited for Regulous to begin and was surprised at his speed. He would have to use all of his remaining strength to keep up. The wind-breaker had awoken again.

***

            Darius held his breath as the Draëden captain and few others searched the fields near where he and Braen were hiding in the tall feathery grass. There was another that was looking with the Draëden, Darius couldn’t see her but he was pretty sure it was the Aeled that had invaded his mind. The voice echoed with restrained power, but he could see no other reason that the Draëden would be following her orders.

            “They are here somewhere, unless you were mistaken Ardulous.” Her voice came from the feminine form. She was the closest of the silhouettes to them.

            “You know full well I was not mistaken. Don’t think for one second that I am afraid of you. I follow your orders because your father placed you at the head of this army, not out of fear like everyone else does. In my opinion, we should let the Eldar boy run to the elves and deal with the humans in the rest of this country first, starting with the foolish king who thinks his island is impenetrable.” The captain, who Darius guessed was Ardulous, replied in his powerful rasping voice.

            “In my opinion, your opinion doesn’t matter, Ardulous. Anyway you know that if we do not catch him here the plan is to move ahead to the King so you may get your wish. Also, know this, I care not whether or not you fear me, though it would be wise if you did. All I care about is that my orders are followed in an excellent fashion. Now keep looking. I will give us some light.” As she finished berating Ardulous she held her arm out straight in front of her and shot flames into the grass surrounding the search party.

            Darius looked around quickly, the flames had cut off their only escape. In the light of the flames they were sure to be discovered. He glanced down at his hand and his eyes lighted on the potion Nicolai had given to him. He looked over at Braen and saw he was thinking the same thing. This was their only chance. With one last glance at their seekers they downed the vile tasting potion and prayed for the effects to take hold.

Chapter Seven

Prince of Twin Dragons

            Foradin awoke as the first fires burned through the sky of Shrõel. As he stood he noticed that the skies were red again, just like they had been the morning before. Yet the red of today did not even compare to the blood red of yesterday morning. Still, somewhere people had been killed last night. He rose from his bed, which was really more a bundle of blankets and animal skins than a bed. He stepped out of his tent into the desert morning and stood in awe of the blood red rays of light. His black hair was cut short so it wouldn’t hinder his sight. He stretched and flexed. The muscles all over his body swelled from years of experience and war. He was seventeen, and the prince of the dragon tribe, but he had been fighting in war since he was ten, one year before the normal age for boys to begin fighting. As he moved his back the two dragon tattoos seemed to move as well. One was white and one was black. They both began at his lower back and crisscrossed over the front and back of his torso. They both ended at the peak of his shoulders shooting flames that spiraled down his arms to the palms of his hands. His face seemed to be made of stone, with little to no emotion ever showing. His eyes were a fierce emerald fire of concentration.

            He slowly breathed in meditation. Moving through the ancient forms of his people. His bronze skin moved like a whip relaxed until the point of indicated contact. He had to be ready for today. At high noon, he would face the head general of another tribe in one on one combat. The other tribe knew that they could not win through open war, for they were outnumbered. They challenged his tribe to bring forth their best warrior to settle the dispute without more bloodshed. Foradin’s father chose him. His father was becoming old and would soon join the ranks of the Dragon Lords before him. This was to be Foradin’s final test before becoming Dragon Lord. This tribe was also one of the only two that did not march under the flag of the Dragon.

            The warrior’s circle was already flagged off in the sand. All that was left was for the youngest warrior of the two tribes to choose the weapon. That way neither warrior could choose his or her best weapon. The Dragon horn sounded in front of the tent next to him. His father’s childhood friend smiled at him as he put the horn down. That was the signal for the tribe to awake.

            “If the Prince of Twin Dragon’s is awake, then the rest of the tribe should be as well.” The grizzled old man laughed as he saw the other tribe peaking out of their tents, “ and perhaps the opponent as well, though he will need all the help he can get.”

            “Perhaps the Prince of Twin Dragons was hoping for a few moments of meditation before being studied by every person in a half mile radius, wondering whether or not I am ready and confident,” Foradin replied raising his right eyebrow, the only sign he ever showed that he wasn’t really angry when he sounded it.

            “I don’t have to study you Prince, I have known you were ready since I saw your father walk out of your mother’s bed chamber with you in his arms. You will make a great King. Not just King of the Dragon, but King of Shrõel. You will unite the five tribes of this nation under one banner. You will be powerful enough to help our friend Asturia in their time of need. You can stop the Draëden.” The old man laid the horn on the small wooden table outside his tent. His long gray hair was held in war braids, one for each campaign he had fought in. He was less muscular than Foradin, but a fierce warrior with any weapon. He was forbidden to fight by the king, who was afraid of losing his old friend, but he still came along on the campaigns to wake the warriors before battle. He was missing his left eye; the same man Foradin was about to face had taken it about a year ago. His other eye was green. The war against the Bear tribe had lasted for many years. They were one of the strongest tribes, which is why they still marched under their own banner.

            “One man cannot stop the Draëden, Keeper Dardin.” Foradin said to his old trainer smiling.

            “Aye, that may be true, but it has yet to be seen whether you are man or dragon.” Dardin chuckled as he breathed in the fresh air, “You have the spirit of two Dragons.”

            “Keeper Dardin, will I live up to my father’s legacy?”

            “Oh child, you will surpass his legacy. In all the years I have been your keeper I have never seen another like you. Those Dragons are not tattoos, my boy; they are signs from the Great Dragon. You were born with those. At your age your father and I were still soldiers. We had never even begun to dream of being a General. You were a General at the age of fifteen. In those two years you have never lost a battle. Even if the army lost; your troops were victorious. You are also wise, though you have much to learn. You have learned much already, and even taught this old man a thing or two. The Great Dragon has given much to you, and so you will do much. It is your destiny.”

            Foradin did not reply; he did not know if he believed in the Great Dragon. He did not wish to hurt his mentor’s feelings though. He was the only person Foradin could ever really talk to without feeling like they were groveling to him. He did not ask anything of Foradin, he told Foradin what he would do. It was that kind of reassurance that made Foradin respect him more than any Dragon spirit. Another horn sounded in between the two camps. It was time for the child to choose the weapon. Foradin raced over the sand towards the battle circle. The sun was higher in the sky now and the sands began to burn with its intense heat. Foradin didn’t notice; he had lived in the desert his whole life. His heart was pounding so fast when he reached the circle that he thought it was going to break loose of his chest. What he saw when he got there startled him more than any opponent, even the bear of a man across the circle from him, ever had.

            A thirteen year old girl was standing in the middle of the circle with her head down waiting for everyone to get there and be silent. Women in general were not allowed to come to war unless they were a warrior. There were few of them, but he had learned to respect their skill with a blade. No one who was not a warrior was allowed to war. It broke so many traditions and customs that he didn’t know where to begin. So he just stood their dumbfounded waiting for the weapon choice. The girl wore a tan cloak that covered her head with a hood.  She had red hair that peaked out from under the cloak. When everything was quiet she lowered her hood and the sun hit her face. Foradin nearly gasped. She was blind. Her eyes were green, but a silvery film had covered them. Her face was beautiful, and she would have been as well if she were a little older.

            “I have been chosen to pick the weapon because I am the youngest person between the two camps.” She said. Her voice never quivered and astonished Foradin with its steely confidence.

            “However; I will choose no weapon. This battle is too important to be decided on the luck of the draw. Each warrior has an hour to prepare and bring whatever weapon he wishes. Each may only bring one weapon, no more. Good luck to you both, and may the Great Spirit have mercy on both of your souls.” She ended and without a pause she began to walk back to her tribe, the enemy tribe.

            Foradin stood there for a few moments thinking about the meaning of the small girls words and the sprinted back to his tent. He barreled through the door flaps and searched through his cabin for the weapon he thought was suitable. He decided to use his curved scimitar, after cycling through several heavier weapons. He marched out of his tent to begin practicing with his weapon, but was stopped at the door by Dardin who looked from Foradin to the scimitar, and then shook his head.

            “She said only one weapon boy. Why do you take two out to the battlefield?” Dardin.

            “What do you mean keeper?” Foradin asked hiding the sting of being called boy in his earnest confusion.

            “Ah, to have come so far and learned nothing is a disgrace young dragon. Are you so blind that you cannot see the answer before you eyes? Your scimitar is a weapon, its true. More importantly my pupil, you are a weapon. You are a weapon more powerful than anything made out of metal or wood. You are made of blood, sweat, and tears. Your soul is made of flame and it cannot be contained! Put that dagger down and go show them the power of the Prince of Twin Dragons!” Dardin demanded grabbing the Scimitar and throwing it to the ground.

            “Keeper… I will do my best,” Foradin said reluctantly as he began to walk towards the circle. There were only ten minutes left before the fight. Foradin walked up to the edge of the fighting ring and began to meditate. He was very careful not to cross into the fight wring, because that would curse him in the battle to come. The minutes seemed to fly by and soon he heard footsteps approaching from all sides.

            “Why have you approached the circle with no weapon in hand?” boomed the grizzly voice of his opponent.

            “I have my weapon, why do you have two?” Foradin rebutted indicating the massive axe the massive man carried.

            “Explain yourself Prince,” the blind girl commanded. The commandment shocked Foradin, but he couldn’t show it. The position she held right now was one of utmost respect.

            “It is true that I could have come with a bare blade against my opponent and intent on killing him. However I have chosen to preserve my honor by following your decree in its truest sense, my body is my weapon. If he brings two he must choose to go without one or the other, and since he cannot go without his body, he must lay down his axe.” Foradin replied coolly.

            “Surely you cannot be…”
            “He speaks the truth!” The girl interrupted the man from her tribe.

            “But daughter…”
            “Hold your tongue or dishonor our clan, Boral!” The girl yelled back. Foradin knew why she was becoming so angry. It was against the code of all clans to dispute the decision of the duel master, family relations were not acknowledged.

            “So be it,” Boral growled throwing his axe down with a thud.
            “Fighters to the center of the ring. When the whistle sounds you may begin. Whoever has three points scored on them, is knocked out, gives up, or is killed loses.”

            Boral removed his armor exposing bulging muscles under the layers of steel. A white scar contrasting the darkness of his skin stretched across his face from his forehead to his chin. Foradin’s father gave that scar to him ten years ago. They met at the center of the ring, crossed their fists across their chest, and then punched each other’s fist in a motion of respect.  They took two steps back and took their respective fighting stances. Foradin stood with one foot in front of the other; body crouched to lower his center of gravity. His hands were drawn up in front of his body with the palms facing out and his fingers were slightly curled. His eyes stared at his opponent who was standing like a bear with his feet spread apart in a wide stance. His hands were brought up like claws to the sides of his body.  The sun had climbed higher into the sky and the sand beneath their feet began to burn. Neither moved. The sweat dripped from their bodies, but neither blinked.

The bone whistle sounded.

            Boral launched into motion and charged forth on all fours leaping into the air at Foradin. Foradin waited for the right moment. At the last second, he ducked and put all the weight on his front leg. He waited for a split second and then launched forward slamming his fist into Boral’s gut. Boral buckled in the air and landed rolling on the ground.

Foradin gained one point.

            The whistle sounded again signaling Foradin to wait until Boral was ready to continue. Boral hopped up with a growl and turned to face Foradin with a smile on his face. The whistle piped out a short blast and Boral charged forth again, but this time used only his legs. Foradin waited once again. Boral paused before kicking at the side of Foradin’s face. Foradin leaned back and the kick missed, but Boral launched a second spinning kick straight into Foradin’s chest. Foradin felt his body fly through the air and land face down several feet away.

            Boral gained one point.

            The whistle sounded and Boral walked back to his place in the ring. Foradin got to his knees and struggled to breathe. At the very least his ribs were bruised, he thought one or two could be broken. He took a couple of breaths and then pushed himself to his feet, trying not to wince from the rush of pain.

            “Can you continue?” The blind girl asked.

            Foradin just nodded, not daring to speak. He walked back into the ring and slowly took his fighting stance. The whistle sounded, signaling the continuance of the fight. Foradin charged forward, shocking Boral just long enough for Foradin to slam his fist into Boral’s chin. Boral fell onto his back with a thud from the force of the blow, and sand flew up all around the ring.

            The score was now 2 to 1.

            Foradin slowly walked back to his place in the ring. Boral slowly got to his feet, shaking the fog from his mind. The whistle finally sounded as the sand settled back to the ground. The two warriors stood panting in their positions, waiting for what could be the final whistle. A man moved into the front of the apprehensive crowd of Bear clan members. It seemed like he was clothed in sand, for his rags so closely matched the color of the ground under his feet. The two warriors did not notice the man; they kept their eyes locked on one another. The blind girl turned her head in the direction of the newcomer, paused for a moment, and then blew the whistle. Boral stumbled clumsily forward and Foradin took a step forward. Foradin kicked at the ribs of Boral as Boral dove to tackle Foradin. Foradin’s foot crashed into Boral’s back, knocking him to the side and causing the final whistle to blow. Foradin helped Boral to his feet. The man in the sand clothing watched with a calculating stare, waiting. Foradin was announced the winner, and he announced that Dagon juice, a strong alcoholic drink, would be provided to celebrate the joining of the clans. The man in the sandy cloth took aim and grabbed the dagger sheathed on his arm. With a flick of the wrist the dagger took flight straight towards Foradin’s back.

Chapter Six

Guardian Angels

Regulous stood in complete darkness. He looked around warily for any sign of Aeled’s control on Darius’s mind. He walked. never moving forwards or backwards, there was no real distance inside this spirit world. Then he saw her, a shadow of Aeled’s spirit just strong enough to control Darius’s mind. Aeled would not have risked sending her whole spirit. Nor would she have been able to. Direct contact is needed for such a thing.

Her shadow spirit was bent over a small fire. Everything was darker than the midnight of a new moon, except for her, the fire, and Regulous.

“So, you would risk your whole spirit to save this boy, Regulous?” She said in a haunting whisper.

“My spirit can easily take his mind from you, shadow spirit.” He answered, drawing his sword.

“What if I am not alone?” she cackled, “You risk the loss of your body coming here for nothing. For I am not alone.”

Something large and dark shifted behind the fire. Two red eyes looked Regulous’s way.

“Impossible!” Regulous gasped. It seemed he had walked right into a trap. Aeled’s shadow spirit disappeared as the Black Dragon that had been hiding in the shadow sent a jet of flames at Regulous. He dodged just in time. ‘This is going to be more difficult than I expected’ Regulous thought to himself, slightly shaken.

The Dragon bolted into the air and flew straight for Regulous. Where the Dragon had been, Darius’s spirit was chained into a cell.

“Help me Regulous!” He cried out.

The Dragon attacked and knocked Regulous through the blackness. Aeled’s spirit reappeared with more strength than before and drew her sword.

“Give up, Regulous, and maybe I will spare the boy!” She screamed, laughing maniacally.

Regulous didn’t respond; he just stood waiting, sword in hand. Then, as the wind shifted, he heard the dragon coming from his left and dodged backward, throwing a knife into the beast’s wing. The shriek that filled the poor mind of Darius almost deafened them all.

“Do you not know who I am, woman!?! I am the last of the Vejas tribe, oldest of the remaining Eldar. I know secrets you have yet to imagine. I am the strength of the wind, the backbone of the storm, and the eye of the hurricane! I am REGULOUS the wind-breaker!” He screamed at her, summoning all his energy. A swift wind once again erupted from his core, flowing through his body, lifting him from the invisible ground. His eyes were white and his hair flew around wildly. His sword even felt his energy and a white aura surrounded the blade. Massive wings burst forth from his shoulders and he shot forth towards the surprised shadow spirit. She barely escaped the edge of his blade by fleeing Darius’s mind.

The Dragon turned about, just as stunned as Aeled had been. It let out a massive burst of flame. Regulous countered by sending a huge powerful gust of wind that broke the flame and speared the dragon through the chest with a blade of pure wind. The beast shrieked once more, louder than before and burst into flames.

Regulous stumbled to Darius’s cage and smashed the lock with his bare hand. Then, breathing heavily, he fell back into his own mind. He was too weak to continue the bond with Darius’s.

***

            Darius lurched forward from his prone position on the ground, screaming. He looked up to see Braen and Allycea staring at him in awe. Then they both tackled him with their arms wrapped around him. The three of them started laughing, but they were cut short by the horn echoing from the East again.

            “What was that,” Darius asked, still chuckling.

            Braen and Allycea just stood and faced the east. Then they turned south. Darius stood up and saw the Draëden coming from the woods. He glanced in the direction of the horn, and saw the two specks flying towards them.
            “Don’t worry guys, I’m sure whatever it is, Regulous can handle it. Isn’t that right Regulous?” Darius stated confidently, turning around to see Regulous lying prone on the ground.
“Regulous?” He shouted, running over and shaking him.
            Regulous wouldn’t wake up. Darius looked at the others silently and fear began to take hold of his chest.  He stood up without saying a word and stared at the forces charging towards them. ‘Fifty… I can’t even begin to imagine fighting fifty,’ Darius thought, as he took a sideways glance at Allycea. ‘I must be brave.’

            “Allycea, take Regulous with you if you can and head for safety. Braen, are you with me on this?” Darius asked, looking nervously at Braen.

            “Aye.” Was all Braen muttered as he stared grim faced at the forces in front of them.

            “No, I won’t go hide while you two die!’ she screamed, but she began to obey when she saw the glares they shot her way.

            The wind whispered across the faces of the two dead men as they stood like two stones against a tremendous wave. The gold and silver orbs in the sky were closer now and they could just make out wings on the two silhouettes. It would be a close race as to which of the two forces would get there first. The Draëden were closer, but the other two moved faster.

            The sun was still just beginning to rise, as The Draëden grew larger and larger in the sights of Darius and Braen. Neither Braen nor Darius was afraid of the death that was coming any longer. It was just the waiting that was bothering them. Darius looked back and saw Allycea and Regulous getting further away from danger and knew it was worth waiting if they got away.

            Then Darius looked at Braen and they both knew what the other was thinking. They charged forth, yelling and screaming with their swords over their heads. At first the Draëden slowed, stunned by the sudden show of courage, but after a moment or two they regained composure and sprinted towards easy prey. Two of the Draëden, of Elven descent, began to outpace their humanoid counterparts. The once vast space between the two groups quickly became a sliver. Darius pulled his sword to his side and thrust it forward with all his might, tearing through the Draëden’s chest. Braen brought his down in an arc to decapitate another.

            The rest of the group stopped the assault and even took a few steps back. They were confused, not many people ever stood up against such odds. They studied their prey with incredulity. Darius stood with his sword in front of him, shaking and soaked with sweat and Draëden blood. He was just as surprised as the Draëden.

            “Well come on yeh bunch o’ cowerds!” Braen yelled at the Draëden. He too stood sword in hand, but he was not shaking or surprised. Darius could see it in his eyes; he had no intention of losing this fight.

            One of the Draëden shook off the shock that had consumed him and took a step forward. He never made it any further. An arrow from above pierced the back of his neck and left him writhing for air on the blood soaked ground. Darius foolishly looked up, and saw two Ègleese warriors, bows in hand, hovering just above his head. While he looked, one of the demons jumped forth with a dagger aimed at his throat. Braen never took his eyes off of their enemies and stepped in front of Darius. The dagger nicked his shoulder as he parried the blow that would have pierced his skull. He cut the Draëden in two with his sword and watched him fall into the dust at his feet with apathetic control in his eyes. The rest of the Draëden began to turn and flee. Arrows took down a few before the group reached the forest.

            The two Ègleese landed beside Darius and Braen. The contrast between the two was so massive that Darius doubted they were both Ègleese. One was massive the muscles in his arm looked like they could rip heads off. Two great golden wings spread from his back in magnificent wonder. A two-handed sword hung sheathed across his back. His slightly golden skin seemed to glisten in the sun, and his blue eyes seemed to pierce any shadow that could possibly present itself.  His hair was blonde, but it seemed to glow as it hung down to his shoulder.

            The other was slim, but just as tall as Darius. A staff with a blade on each end was strapped to his back. His white wings were almost blinding in the sunlight. He had silver armor that seemed more suited to speed than protection. The most astonishing feature was his gray skin. It almost looked like stone. His eyes were black as midnight and his black hair hung down to his hip.

            “Hello Darius,” the large Ègleese said stretching out his hand in greeting. His booming voice echoed confidence and charm.

            “H…Hello?” Darius said nervously shaking the hand presented to him.

            “And you young master; I apologize for I do not know your name. You showed great bravery in protecting Darius. You both showed bravery in protecting Regulous when he was vulnerable. I am honored to meet you,” He stated once again extending his hand.

            “My name is Braen.” Braen replied as he took the Warrior’s hand.

            “Mine is Michael. I am a Ègleese General. I have been sent here because the king has sensed a disturbance in the world of the Eldar. We have been watching you for quite some time, Darius. We had hoped that you would display some of the abilities of the Eldar earlier, but I guess being half human effects the time in which your powers mature. In any case, you are what we have been hoping for.” The giant Ègleese stated confidently.

            “And my name is Nicolai,” The slimmer Ègleese said with no emotion. “I am a new recruit. I was sent to learn first hand vhe events of vhe world surrounding mine.”

            “You do yourself no justice Nicolai!” Michael stated, “ You are THE new recruit. You are a prodigy we never thought would come.”

            “Ok excuse me, that’s great and all, but what are you talking about?” Darius said in a state of shellshock. “How do you know me, and what are do you mean powers? Why have you been looking for me? How do you know Regulous, and most importantly; what is going on?”

            “You mean Regulous hasn’t told you anyvhing yet?” Nicolai questioned with disappointment.

            “Regulous ‘as been too busy savin’ us from duh Draëden. And ‘e mentioned a creature by duh name o’ Aeled.”  Braen replied, coming to the stunned Darius’s aide.

            “Aeled is here?” Michael nearly shouted, “We must get moving. No time to explain. Quick, we have to catch up to Regulous and the girl. He must awake if we are to defend ourselves from powers such as these.”

            The two Ègleese took flight, and as Darius and Braen began to walk, the Ègleese grabbed them. With a powerful stroke of their wings they shot in to the air, carrying Darius and Braen with them. For a few seconds Darius was flying over the countryside, with not a care in the world. The plains below flew by and the wind rushed against his face. The burdens of the last few days were gone. He saw Allycea and Regulous still running below. They dropped, suddenly picking up speed; Darius thought they were going to crash. Right before they hit the ground, Nicolai used a powerful thrust of his wings to steady them both inches above the ground. He gently lowered them to the ground. Michael and Braen landed shortly after them. Allycea turned around, startled by the quick rush of wind.

            “What is going on?” She asked, her voice trembling awe of the Ègleese.

            “We cannot explain. It is Regulous’s place to explain his mission to you.  For now, we must keep moving till nightfall.” Michael stated with a firm look at Nicolai.

Chapter Five

Escape of the Wave-Runner

A salty sea breeze crept into the dark damp cell through tiny cracks in the wall. Outside the sky was clear, but none of the moon’s harmonious and comforting light could penetrate the wall of the great fortress Yraen in the land of Krömier. A young elf hung a foot above the floor. His hands were chained to the ceiling. Elves by their nature were fair skinned and thin in build, but this was no ordinary elf. This was Thryn; the Elven pirate who stole to save his starving people- this was the wave-runner of Ciel. His black hair flowed down to his lower back. His skin was a deep bronze, contrary to the ghostly white of other elves. Though he was thin, the swell of great muscles were visible though his damp shirt. He heard footsteps beckoning from down the dungeon hall. He lifted his head and his silver eyes searched the pitch-black cell in vain. He kept his vigilance however; and finally he saw a glimmer of torchlight reach his cell door. So… my time has come he thought to himself.

The footsteps grew in intensity as the torchbearer made his way down the hall. Finally he reached the gate. Thryn tried to see whom it was, but after days in the darkness, the light burned his eyes. The gate squeaked open as the guard unlocked it with jingling keys.

“Ah so, the great Thryn trapped behind walls built with the hands of men.” Said a second man behind the torchbearer, “Isn’t this the very thing you promised me would never happen; yes I think it is.” Thryn may not have been able to see the man, but he recognized the sneaking voice.

“Guard I would like a different cell please, this one smells of back stabbing rats!” Thryn said spitting in the direction of the second man’s voice.

“I see days in the dark haven’t subdued that sharp tongue of yours, wave-runner. No worries, I believe I have the solution to that.” The second man said as his boot exploded into Thryn’s side.

“Admiral Beson we aren’t to harm the prisoner before his execution! It the king finds out he will punish us both.” The nervous guard said.

“The king won’t find anything out, if you keep your tongue behind your rotten teeth, worm! If you don’t, you will lose the privilege of having a tongue. Now give me the keys and go wait for me in the hall!” Beson said. “Leave the torch here you idiot!” Beson added as the guard began to leave. The guard placed the torch in the casing and scurried out of the room.

“I see you’re people skills haven’t improved much.” Thryn sneered.

“Shut up before I make you wish you had never been born.” Beson added with rage.

“I see you are only brave enough to face me when I am chained to a ceiling ‘Admiral’! You didn’t seem so keen to fight me on my ship.” Thryn goaded.

“Why fight an unnecessary battle, when you have already won the war? I did not need to fight you. I already had you surrounded.” The Admiral calmly replied.

“Or, it could be that you are a coward,” Thryn said as his eyes finally adjusted to the light, “and a traitor to your own people.” Thryn jerked on the chains, trying to get close enough to attack his enemy.

The admiral was tall, even for an elf. He had a military cut of graying black hair. His eyes were a deep wood full of secrets and tricks that leave people lost in his falsities. His muscles were not as visible as Thryn’s but his swordsmanship was honed from generations of battle against; Dragons, humans, dwarves, Musédu, and now his own people. A smile lit on his face and he looked at Thryn with snide pity.

“It is… unfortunate that you won’t give us the location of the new Elven outpost. I know they moved, they always do when one of their own changes sides. I suppose I will leave you to your death.” He said turning his back.

“Can’t you see that the old power is leaving you? Your hair is graying, the glow of your Elven skin is fading, and your wit is not as quick as it used to be! You know the punishment for going against the will of the Great King Eceol. You have lost the gift of everlasting life you fool!” Thryn laughed

Beson whirled around and punched Thryn in the gut as hard as he could, causing Thryn to swing into the wall behind him.

“Your king will be dethroned soon. Then I shall be king of the elves, ad you will be the one dying. Oh wait, I forgot you will be dead by the end of today.” Beson laughed back as he walked out of the room.

The guard came hustling back into the room, looking for the right key on his chain. Even though the guard was human, and would soon be leading Thryn to his death; Thryn couldn’t help but feel sorry for what he was about to do to the stubby little man.

“Now lets get you down from here,” the bustling man said, “can’t have you late, cause then the king will kill us both.” The man put the key in the lock, and it clicked as he turned the key.

“Sorry,” Thryn mumbled as he kicked the man in the chest before he even hit the floor. The guard fell back and his head crashed into the wall. Thryn waited a second to make sure the guard was unconscious then took the keys. As he ran out he locked the gate. He left the torch, he could see well enough in the dark and it would just give him away if he brought it with him.

He sprinted down the hallway as best e could with his starving body. The meals had been nothing more than moldy bread The kind saw no point in feeding a dead man. He hadn’t been fed in a day, not even moldy bread. Not since he had been chained to the ceiling. Where could it be? He asked himself. He had to find the room where the guards had put his things. A very important map was hidden in a secret shirt pocket. He reached the end of the hallway ad peeked around the corner.

There were two doors up ahead; two large soldiers guarded one and daylight streamed through the cracks, the other was old and rusted.

“Ah there you are,” he whispered to himself, “but how to get to you?

Suddenly a violent yell echoed from down the hall. The guards straightened and started walking his way. It seems his friend had woken up. Thryn hurried back down the hall and ducked into an empty cell. He crouched in the shadows waiting for the guards to walk past. He waited while the first one walked past, and then as the second came along he pounced on him. He slammed the guard’s head into the wall and kicked the other in the back of the neck. They both fell to the floor like sacks of grain, neither moved.

He turned sorrowfully and made his way towards the storage room. He hadn’t meant to kill them. He tried to shake the sounds of the other guard screaming as he turned the corner. There was the rusty door that would lead to his only chance of escaping alive, his sword.

He ducked in the room, giving one quick frantic look around. His heart began racing as he continued to look over countless useless trinkets, searching for his belongings. Then a glimmer of metal caught his eye. He leapt over a mound of tattered clothing and found his pack. He snatched up his mithril undershirt and slipped it on over the prison garb. Next he put his navy royal tunic on and checked the sleeve pocket to make sure the map was still there. Then he slipped on his white pants and strapped on his sword belt. He slipped into his shoes and then put his gloves on. These were his secret weapons. A blade of silver was hidden in each of the forearms of the gloves. If he struck with enough force, and his hand in the proper position the blades would slide out with deadly force. He checked to make sure they still worked and then left the room without even a glance. He slid out of the room gently closing the door behind him.

“Good afternoon master Thryn.” Said a thickly accented voice from behind.

Thryn whirled around punching his arms in a cross at the creature’s neck.

“Ooh pointy,” the voice sneered. The silhouette in front of him shoved his arms back with such force that Thryn almost dropped down to his knees. “Now, if you will mind your manners I will continue.” The voice said, regaining its regal tone.

The silhouette stepped out of the shadows and Thryn gasped in amazement. A tall man with bluish white skin stood in front of him. He had blonde hair that was tied up I a ponytail, like he was some kind of lord. His muscles seemed to be flexing no matter how relaxed of a position he stood in. His eyes were an icy blue, and always seemed to be calculating. They seemed to be looking at Thryn like prey. It was only then that he noticed the teeth. The creature was a vampire.

“You’re a vampire!” Thryn nearly shouted grabbing at his own neck.

“And you are an elf. You have nothing to worry about. I have already fed. Plus, I don’t like the taste of elves; their blood is too old and sweet.” The vampire smiled pleasantly. “My name is Loic. I am the leader of an order of passive vampires. I have come here to make you an offer you can’t afford to refuse. We both need to escape, but chances of us doing it alone are slim. Let me come with you. I won’t bite you, and when we escape you will discover I can be quite useful and generous.”

“What if I say no?” Thryn questioned.

“Then I think you will find that you have no way of stopping me from escaping with you. My strength far out passes yours, those blades in your hands are silver and won’t kill me, and to behead me with that sword you would have to be a better swordsman than me. I think we both know how unlikely that it is. I would prefer to do this the polite way, but if you are going to make things difficult I can force you to come with me.” The vampire said apathetically.

“Well, seeing as how my options are you come with me, or you come with me; I say you can come with me.” Thryn stated with acidic sarcasm.

“There’s a good lad. Now, if you will follow me I will show you the way out.” Loic said gesturing back down the dungeon hallway. Only now did Thryn realize that the guard had stopped screaming.

“Aren’t you afraid of daylight or something?” Thryn wondered.

“No, my simple-minded friend. Only weak vampires are hurt by daylight. The stronger you are, the less of a down side there is to vampirism. Of course you do have to feed more when you are stronger.” Loic smiled. His teeth had gone back to a semi regular shape. Loic began to walk so Thryn followed.

“Just how strong are you then?” Thryn said, and the vampire began to chuckle a little.

“Let’s just say, that I have been around since before your people came to these islands. Now mind your manners it is rude to ask your eldar’s age.” Loic chuckled with emphasis on ‘Eldar’.

 “You are as old as the Eldar?” Thryn asked in amazement.

“Tsk Tsk, lad rudeness will not be tolerated.”

As they continued to walk, the corridor seemed to become impossibly darker. The air was even damper. It almost felt as if they were swimming through the air. Then Thryn saw a faint light up ahead, coming from above.

“Where is that light coming from?” Thryn pointed in hurried anticipation.

“Well, it is obvious to me that it is coming from outside.” Loic sarcastically replied. “If you meant how it is breaching the wall, that is simple, there is no ceiling in that particular spot.”

“Wouldn’t that make it easy for anyone to escape?” Thryn asked annoyed by the vampire’s knowledge.

“Just wait till you see it, then ask questions.” Loic snapped, annoyed.

They continued walking until the reached the wall where the light was shining. Thryn looked up and saw why it would be hard for anyone to escape. The hole, which served as a small vent for the air in the dungeon, was a few hundred feet high.

“How exactly are we supposed to get up there?” Thryn asked.

“Well, don’t you have any rope?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Sigh… I guess you will just have to hold onto me then won’t you?”

“Huh?”

Loic grabbed Thryn by the neck of his shirt and leapt through the air. Thryn was blown away at how fast and high the vampire jumped. The vampire grabbed the grate and pulled Thryn up so he could grab hold of it as well. Then he bent the metal bars of the grating and pulled himself through leaving Thryn to follow. Thryn climbed through and found himself atop the outer wall of Yraen. To the south he could see the beautiful ocean and the road leading to the southern docks, to the east the tip of the Shining Citadel could be seen even though it was countless miles away, To the north was the fortress of Yraen and the small town it sheltered behind its walls, and to the west, the Gray Woods, his home.

“Ok, so where to now?” Loic asked pulling Thryn out of his observations.

“I don’t know you are the escape artist here.” Thryn shot back.

“Yes, I provided the means of escape, now if you would be so kind to provide shelter from the guards that will be pursuing us soon. It would mean a lot.”

“We could head to the Gray Woods, but I don’t know how much you would like the forest, or it you.”

“Anything is better than the ocean or that cell down there.”

“I will agree with the part about the cell.”

“Then let’s get moving.”

They headed down the south wall towards the southwest guard tower. They were halfway there to begin with, so that was their best bet of escape. They were only yards away from the door when two guards stepped out of the tower. Loic grabbed Thryn and catapulted him through the air at the guards. Thryn back flipped and kicked the first guard off the wall to the forest floor below. The next he hit in the chin with his palm, causing the blade to extend into his neck. Then he threw him over the side as well. The next thing he knew Loic was standing next to him, holding the door for him. Thryn drew his sword and stalked into the room. Two more guards charged him, but he stayed still until they were just out of reach. The he stepped forward killing both with swift stabs of his sword. Loic followed him in and looted a sword off of one of the dead guards. Then he quickly ran to the stairs and began to descend. Thryn heard nothing as he followed him down, but he saw plenty. By the time they reached the bottom he had passed ten dead guards with nothing but a look of surprise on their faces.

At the bottom of the tower was a small garrison with twenty more soldiers. Thryn hurried down the last couple of stairs. Loic had already engaged some of the men. His fighting style was unknown to Thryn. Thryn stabbed and thrust his way through four of the guards, and noticed Loic had already killed ten, and it seemed he had done it all without moving out of the corner he was in. Four of the other six waited in front of him. Thryn quickly killed the other two as they tried to escape and watched Loic in amazement. He never moved until one of the guards got too close, then he attacked with a relaxed fluid motion that seemed to have no strength at all until the point of contact. The guard was knocked over by the force of the attack.

The other three bum-rushed him. Loic side-stepped one and kicked him into the blade of another, which he killed shortly after with a blow to the head. For the last he put away his sword and stood in a ready position. The guard jumped into the air and brought his sword down in a massive arc, but Loic was no longer their. He was behind the guard. He kicked him so hard that the guard flew into the metal door to the woods, and knocked it off its hinges. Thryn quickly ran outside into the sunlight and his freedom.

Chapter Four

Life and Death

            Regulous slowly pulled himself from the logs, dirt, and rocks that entombed him. He gasped for breath and pain shot through his ribs. The world around him was barren and covered with dead bodies. He wondered how he had lived through the explosion that had blasted him through the air.

            “Lucky to be alive,” he chuckled, “Yeah right…”

            He searched each body for the dead children he was sure would be there, but he could not find them. A scream ripped trough the forest and assaulted his ears.

            “I hate my conscious,” as he charged through the woods, “And these bloody children!”

He raced through the forest, ducking and weaving between branches and trees. Praying that he would make it in time to save them from whatever impending fate was bearing down upon them. His legs felt like they were breaking down from unseen poison. He saw a glimmer of light ahead, but then a tremendous shadow blocked out the sun. He drew his katana and prepared to slay whatever might be waiting on the other side of the trees.

Regulous rocketed out of the trees and the shadows onto a cliff’s edge. Allycea, Darius, and Braen were all cowering on the edge, of no use to him. Then he saw what had pushed them to the edge just as it was trying to cut him down. He barely parried the blow that threatened to cut off his head. The force behind the blow almost knocked him off the edge towards his death, but Regulous pushed back against the horrid Draëden Captain. The Draëden Captain raised his sword and sliced down in a deadly arc towards his mid-section. Regulous saw his chance and charged into the gut of the ferocious captain, knocking him backwards off the edge. Then Regulous threw out his hand to silence the sob he knew was about to escape form Allycea’s mouth and slowly walked to the edge of the cliff.

The captain tumbled through the air and crashed through the trees below. An ocean of birds flew up in a frenzy of insulted and furious cries at their homes destruction. Then a final thud shook the ground and Regulous stepped away from the cliff, dropping his arm to his side. He realized his mistake too late. Allycea launched forth and almost tackled him off the cliff.

“Oh thank you Regulous, thank you! I knew you would save us, I just knew it.” She squealed, squeezing him even tighter.

“Get her off!” he growled, glaring at Darius who just shrugged and helped Braen to his feet, “Fine, get off of me child, so I can save your friend’s life.” Regulous said, watching the wavering Braen stand to his feet.

Allycea gasped and ran to Braen’s side. Regulous followed slowly afterwards. He unwound the bandage that Braen’s father had tied around his side and ripped of a section of his cloak. He then pulled a small pouch from the inside of his shirt and poured its contents onto the wound. After that he bound up the wound once more and caught Braen as he passed out from the pain.

“What did you do to him?” Allycea and Darius shouted at the same time.

“Well, I drugged him of course,” He said in a matter of fact manner, “The medicine works a lot better when he is unconscious. Now you two are going to have to carry him somehow. We have to get him down to that river down there where we can make camp.”

They set off down the path that lay before them, slowly making their way around the cliff. They were all tired, but it would not be safe to sleep up on the cliff’s edge where anything could see them. So they continued their journey to find the water they all desperately needed

***

It took them the rest of the day to traverse their way to the river. They all were tired and sore from the day’s journey. Except for Braen who was still unconscious.

“Darius and Allycea, leave Braen here near the river. I will need to re-bandage his wound soon. After that I need you to go find some firewood. It’s the only thing that will keep wolves and other such things away.” Regulous commanded.

“Ok…” Darius replied as he led Allycea into the surrounding woods before she could argue with Regulous.

            They walked through the woods in an eerie silence; afraid to disturb anything that might be sleeping nearby. Darius picked up a stick here or there, but he didn’t really feel like looking for firewood. Maybe it was just the days events or the way Allycea had looked at Braen when they were carrying him down the cliff, but Darius couldn’t help but steal glances at Allycea as they walked. He was about to say something, when she fell to her knees and began to cry.

            “Allycea? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Darius said, concerned as he knelt down beside her.

            “Darius, what isn’t wrong!?” she screamed, “Our whole world just shattered into pieces. Our town is gone. People died. My father…” She sobbed into her hands uncontrollably. Darius was shocked by her sudden eruption of emotion. His mind began racing to find something to make her feel better. At the same time he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked in the moonlight.

            “Allycea… at least we made it out. We could have died there too. We haven’t lost everything yet. We still have each other.” Darius said, trying to find something in his thoroughly confused mind.

            “Like you care Darius. All you ever do is be mean to Braen and I. I don’t know why Braen puts up with you so much.” Allycea cried, turning away from Darius.

            “I do care Allycea. If I didn’t care I wouldn’t have come back into the town for you. You and Braen were the only thing I had to lose in that town. I had to come back for you.” Darius said, shocked that she felt this way. Allycea began to shake from her tremendous weeping. Darius just put his arm around her and let her cry.

***

            Regulous unwrapped Braen’s wound and began to wash his hands in the river. The exterior of the wound was healing well, but Regulous knew there were internal injuries that he did not have the medicine to fix. He would have to get him to a town quickly. He plucked another bottle from the inside of his cloak and poured some of the contents onto the wound. He did not add the sleeping poison into the mixture this time; Braen would need to wake soon. The other two could not carry him again, and Regulous’s wounds were too great to carry the child. He began to re-bandage the wound, when his mind exploded with a burning sensation that knocked him off of his feet. He grabbed at his head and tried to block out the pain, but it was too great. He continued to roll around on the ground yelling and shaking until eventually the pain overwhelmed him and he blacked out.

***

Darius was still holding Allycea when pain invaded his mind. He let go of her and fell to his knees. It felt like there was a raging fire burning through his head. He grabbed at his head trying to find the source of the pain, but his movements were too jerky for him to do much of anything.

“Darius, are you ok?” Allycea said. She stared, horrified, and crawled away from him. “Darius? You’re scaring me. Please stop.”

“Help me,” he managed to stutter out, “Get me to Regulous.”

Allycea got to her feet and began to get Darius to his as well. It was difficult, because he wouldn’t stop shaking and his hands were still gripping his head.

“Ok, don’t worry, I will get you there somehow,” she continued as crevices of worry broke cross her face.

She led him back through the forest that seemed somewhat darker and more mysterious to her than before. The long arms of trees seemed to grope at the air as they passed, and it sounded as if they sighed when they missed her. She began to go faster and faster as fear began to take her mind. The wind began to bellow uncontrollably; the trees whined and groaned as if they were angry. She found herself apologizing to the ancient giants that stood tall all around her. She was truly afraid now and began to run as best she could while still pulling Darius, shaking and crying, along.

Finally they reached the clearing only to find Regulous quiet and still on the ground as if dead. Braen had awoken from his deep stupor and was standing over Regulous with a look of genuine curiosity.

“Braen, you’re awake!” Allycea yelled as she burst forward, leaving Darius to find his own way.

Darius could not explain why, but a feeling of pure jealousy entered his mind surpassing even the pain of the invisible fire. As his anger deepened the fire in his mind grew to a bursting point. Suddenly the world began to swim around him and he felt himself collapse to the ground. Muted voices surrounded him, driving him crazy, until finally he didn’t hear anything at all

***

.           A woman stood in a small stream hair flaming, eyes aglow with dark destruction. Rage and recognition spawned simultaneously in Regulous’s mind. The fire in his head was gone. ‘AELED!’ he screamed, but she could not hear him and he knew it. He was just a silent observer in the realest of real dreams. She shot burning suns from her hands blasting into unseen enemies. Regulous could only see her; despite the fire, the world around her was dark. Finally she stopped blasting away at the unknown. Slowly she began to turn towards Regulous, as if she could sense his spirit’s presence. A grin erupted onto her face more disarming than the flames. “Regulous son of the great wind. Release your mind unto me. You are tired and weak; I can sense it. Let your mind go, or I will take it by force and fire,” She called towards his invisible hiding place. Suddenly the fire was back in his mind, trying to take over. With a yell he himself began to glow white with rage. Wind erupted from his core through the flames and he broke free of the dark clutches that threatened to ensnare his mind to slavery. Aeled physically stumbled backwards from the force of his mind’s defense. “Fine, but I have another in my clutches already, I will catch and destroy you Regulous. You will lose wind breaker,” she screamed into the darkness. There was no answer; Regulous had already escaped the dream world.

***

            Regulous broke from his trance in a cold sweat to find that he was still lying in the dirt where he had fallen. Braen and Allycea were gathered around Darius who seemed to have fallen into a similar coma.

            “Quick,” he rasped, his voice dry from the fire, “ get me to the river, I must drink.”

            Braen and Allycea nearly jumped out of their skin. They whirled around to see a weakened Regulous trying to struggle to his feet. Even they could see the dryness of his mouth.

            “Regulous, what is happening?” Allycea asked in as calm a manner as she could as she led him to the stream.

            “Aeled has awoken, and she is here somewhere in the forest. She will be heading this way before long. We have to move and fast.” Regulous knelt down to the stream and began to drink from it. The water was much warmer than it should have been. Instead of cool, it was warm. He drank more swiftly. His mind shot back to the stream in the dream world. This must be the same stream, he thought, she is still a great distance away, or the water would be hot. Still, it is too close for comfort. Who knows how much of my plan she saw before I stopped her.

            He looked at Darius and remembered her words in the vision. She had another in her clutches already. Now he knew the severity of her words. Darius was a descendant of one of the Eldar. That is the only way he could have reached that dream world, or felt the invisible fire. She had his mind in her clutches, and that meant she knew exactly where they were at all times. He had to go in and break Darius free of her control. He looked at Allycea and Braen. Then he got out a compass and handed it to Braen.

“Follow this North and East,” he commanded, “ It will lead you out of the forest. You will have to lead me along. My body will follow, but my mind will be helping Darius. I cannot explain now, just do it. One of you will have to carry Darius; he has been taken over by a dark force that is too great for either of you. That is all you need to know. I hope to free him soon, but until then, do not stop running.” With that he turned towards Darius and departed his own body into Darius’s mind.

***

Braen and Allycea looked at each other in confusion. Braen watched Regulous warily expecting any second that he was going to burst into movement, but the man just stood there looking just the same as he had before except for the lack of light in his eyes. Suddenly Braen grabbed Darius and slung him onto his back.

“Tie uh rope around ‘is neck, Allycea; we ‘ave teh get moving,” he said with a gentle, commanding voice, while gesturing at Regulous.

He walked across the creek without looking back and continued on in the way Regulous had instructed him. Allycea fell behind at first but she began to catch up as the night rode on. For most of the night they walked on in silence. Something was forbidding about the woods around them. It seemed to command silence of them as they trudged on. However the woods began to thin as they toiled along. Little beams of moonlight struck here and there in greater strength than they had before. Braen looked back every once in a while to make sure Allycea still followed. She was actually threatening to take the lead from time to time. Her load was somewhat less than his; she did not actually have to carry Regulous. Which is good because she would not have been able to bare the weight.

“Braen, why do you put up with Darius when he is being so mean?” Allycea asked searchingly.

“Well, I know ‘e is jus’ jokin’ most o’ duh time. I also look a’ ‘ow much ‘e ‘as and ‘ow much I ‘ave. ‘e ‘as no family, jus’ us. We both ‘ave family, dead or alive.” Braen said through gritted teeth as he struggled to keep going. Darius was getting heavier with each step.

“Oh… I never thought of it that way,” Allycea said. An explosion from a couple miles back seemed to punctuate her sentence. They both stopped and looked back in terror. Sure enough part of the sky behind them was glowing red.

“Come on Allycea, we have to out run them until Regulous wakes up at least!” Braen shouted as he jolted back into motion. Allycea followed trying to hide sobs that where threatening to break out of her chest. More explosions ripped through the forest behind them, shredding trees into splinters. They were getting closer.

Braen almost cried as he saw clear land ahead. They were going to make it out of the woods. They stumbled forth past the last group of foliage into the dark plains that stretched out past the woods and on into eternity. They had been running for longer than Braen had expected, for the moon was already in the western sky. They continued to run a short distance before turning to look back at the dark deadly place they had escaped. The forest was on fire in great patches. Nothing seemed to move except for the flames leaping higher and higher into the sky.

Then Braen saw a sight more terrible than any they had seen since they had escaped the cliff’s edge. A large black mass leapt forth from one of the fires onto the top of a tree. The poor giant nearly buckled under the weight. A terrible scream ripped the air into shreds, and then a multitude of smaller black figures streamed out of the forest heading right for where they were standing. Braen knew what that creature was without even seeing his face.

“Dat Draëden captain is still alive,” he said more calmly than he felt, “’e followed us, wit a group of about fifty of ‘is men. We can’t outrun ‘em Allycea.”

Braen slowly put Darius on the ground and drew his own sword. He walked forward a few paces and stopped. He and Allycea both waited for the death they knew was coming.

A horn ripped through the silence stretching out before them. It echoed out of the east, but neither of them could see any troops. All they saw was the sun rising.

“Ah! Wat are those?” Braen yelled pointing at the eastern sky. A gold speck and a silver speck were racing for their position, shining brighter than any of the stars they had seen last night. They could only hope that it was someone or something that could help them.