Calira had found himself in the company of the young lady Abigelle. He had found a need for her within his study hall. He had always been an avid reader yet from time to time, he enjoyed being told a story. She had come to read A Tale of Talons and Lethal Eloquence by Seigar Von Ruthine. It was a collection of war stories written during the time of the wars of origin. It had become a favorite of the King, and he often found himself taking notes upon past battles. Most strategies had proven useful, and at a time such as this, he would remember them. But his childish reprieve was short-lived as a knock fell upon his door.
"Who goes there?!" He barked, holding up a hand to halt his narrator. "It is I, your Majesty, Sir Kinweld. I come to deliver a message, from your vision within Aleanthos." Calira arched a brow confused. He had not heard a word from his spies in nearly four years. And now out of the blue, they had come to see a parcel delivered. He motioned for Abigelle to see to the door. Setting the book aside, she stood and moved slowly for the door. It came to squeak open, her innocent smile coming to greet the man.
"Please do come in. His Majesty awaits you." She waved a hand to invite him inside keeping her eyes low. The man in black robes moved inward, not bothering to give her a second glance. Though she knew he loathed her presence there, she had to admit the men and warriors of Dread were godlike in appearance. Shutting the door, she returned to her seat taking the book in hand. "What news do you bring to me, Alewol?" Draconvieh spoke, his feet moving to find themselves from the table to the floor. "I bring an urgent message from your spies within the house of Farek. It is believed that your brother-in-marriage has ventured into the land. He is accompanied by a witch much like your own." Leaning forth Calira ripped the scroll from his hand and began reading.
Dear Lord Draconvieh,
It is by my humble and devoted hand that this message is being delivered. While carrying out the orders commanded, your men and I have come to cross paths with the usurper, Laxrindren Talon. He has come to find temporary residence beneath the roof of the Fareks. He is accompanied by a witch round and short in stature, as well as his court and some creature we know nothing of. I know you gave strict orders not to see any messages sent outward for privacy's sake. Though I wish to present you with my honest tongue when I write, I took precaution needed to make sure this goes unnoticed. I could not risk leaving you so blinded by the Talons nor their actions. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed with open arms, fine wine, and song. It was during this time, both Sir Tui and I overheard why they were there. It seems that they have come to acquire those known as the Arcaisiean Bow Singers. Why they are in need of them, I am unsure. Though during my patrols, I heard the fat one speaking of some stone. I do not trust that woman. Whatever she brought here in that secretive cage has remained hidden. When the darkest hours of the night come to claim the land, I hear it growling and her voice speaking to it. Speaking of some kind of stone to restore the balances and return her daughter home. I pray you receive this and can head off any plans they may forge. Our days here had begun to grow short, but I feel it best to remain for a while longer."
Signed, Sir Hausi.
Rolling the paper up once more, Calira looked to Abigelle. "Bring Tonisa and Zalia to me at once. Let them know that the issue at hand will require their magical expertise." "Yes, your Majesty," she replied with a curtsy moving as fast as her feet would carry. "What did it read, Sir?" Draconvieh turned to Kinweld. "It seems the bitter cold has made its way into Aleanthos. My sister and her husband have claimed the right to the Bow Singers. It makes me wonder why beings of peace would need such a deadly weapon. My answer is soon to come once the Tyliquins return."
He had begun to pace as he always did. It was a habit of the nerves, something he could not control. "If I may be so bold as to ask you a question of curiosity, my King?" Kinweld spoke, moving to fold his hands behind his back. He nearly jumped as Calira turned to face him with hungry eyes. But to his surprise, they began to calm. It was as if the question itself had angered him, yet his proper manners had calmed him. "You may," he said, moving to pour himself a cup of brown liquor. "Know that I am not the only to feel this way, I am simply the only one with the courage to ask. Many here wonder why you seek the aid of our enemy. Our mortal enemy, beings to whom cost dragons nearly eighty percent of our population at one time. I fear that their fealty toward you may grow short. In the end, they always turn upon those who swear to protect them. They use a dragon's honor against him and leave him to rot with his mistakes." He came to shut his mouth. Suddenly, it had gone dry.
"I take their aid as they take mine. For one, you must remember, back then Tyliquin witches outnumbered dragons ten to one. Now the tables stand turned with the blood and might of dragons standing against them more than one hundred to one. There is nothing they could do to me that would not see them perish in the attempt. Besides, never forget, without them we would have never gotten this far. As for their fealty, I have seen it secured. The youngest, and most naïve, carries my child. All who know of their race know a Tyliquin woman is forever bound to the first man they lie with. With that and the bond of the child we share, she will not be swayed. The other, Zalia, fights for a better life for her daughter and does not go against Tonisa's words. And of course, Toni...well, she and I go back a long way. She would never cross me I have been too good to her."
The Knight stepped backward a bit. "But Lord Draconvieh, do you not remember the tale of Soria the first witch? What she did to Incendartou, and how she betrayed her own brother? How are they any different?" "Because they are not Soria. Why should they be held accountable for a crime not committed by their hands? Should I stand to be blamed for Incendartou's crimes simply because of features? Or my race, or most of all, my heritage? The answer is no, so all of you get used to them being here. They shall remain for some time. They are not the past, they are the future." Calira moved to stand still at last. His peace brought on by the faces of the three. Tonisa had come bearing a woven basket and a bowl of crystals. Zalia carried herbs and did not dare look upon the ruler in his entirety. She found him repulsive, and arrogant.
"You summoned us, M'lord?" Tonisa spoke, moving to take a seat just next to where he stood. Her eyes shifted to the parchment in his hand, her mind now eager to read its contents. Without asking, she took it from him unrolling it to give it a read. "Alewol, leave us to our work. See yourself back to your post." Taking his leave, he gave Zalia a small smile and went about returning to his station. "So that barren whore has ventured her way into Aleanthos. I see. I swear where you go, she goes. And did you come to notice this creature, this so-called witch, has with her? I believe it to be a hound. It must be. It is the only creature unwelcome in the lands of Aurore in its entirety. No other creature besides dragons in their pure form are banished from the grounds. And this stone, it must be the Elemental Gemstone she wishes. But honestly, I thought that to be no more than mere myth."
She pulled out the Heialioux, the ancient scribes of prophecy. Turning to its two-hundredth page under section Zarcanio one through five, she began to read. "Upon the fires of Drathell shall a creature forgotten rise. Upon its, back shall sit the wings of the righteous. Its neck shall become its halo as it comes to ascend from darkness to the light. With it shall come the gleam of the stone. And with its light shall come restoration, and the blood of the stone itself." She held the book outward pointing towards the passage she had come to read. "You see, it is a recognized prophecy, but I never thought it to be true. The Elemental Gemstone is made by gods of light. Why would they bestow it upon a creature of the dark?" Tonisa questioned, her hand coming to stroke her chin. And then she came to remember. Within the nights long forgotten, she remembered.
"I know what we search for and I believe I know just where we may come to find it," she continued, her hand diving into the basket she had come to sit aside. Zalia, your hand please," she spoke pulling forth her most favored dagger. She took her sister's hand in her own before making a cut sharp and defined. She allowed the blood to pool into a small vial of herbs before pushing the hand away. She knew deep down where the stone had come to be hidden. The herbs began to catch flame as she came to chant. Before long, they painted a picture of the hellhound they had to find. The being who held the key to their advancement if slain. A canine of black bearing eyes of fire and a chest, blessed with the glow of evolving colors. Before the creature stood hooded cloaks of red and gold, the colors owned by the legions of Otezla.
"We must travel to Morgaideign, but first I shall go to where it all began, my Lord. If my accusations are correct about this woman of the craft, we must act quickly. I shall take my leave for Aleanthos upon the morn with your blessing." "See it done. Do as you must. But take care...I can not afford to lose you," the King spoke, his eyes sending a message only she could read. "No worries, Lord Draconvieh. There is not a serpent nor a god alive who could slay me. I shall return to you and when I do, I shall with excellent news." The meeting came to an end, the King's fear put to rest as his best sat off to find what might await them.
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