The time had come for the excursion to Morgaideign to begin. Zacura had come to lead four hundred soldiers into battle. Those too old or too weak to fight remained in the protection of Crystal Springs. The entire Talon family was present. Hexonia, Laxrindren, Wailora, and the respected Emperor Ramsra Raye'zore stood proudly adorned in blinding white robes. The Queen, however, proved to be the most beautiful of them all. In the morning light, she seemed to glow with the radiance of the sun's rays. She wore an A-line gown, which hung trimmed in sapphire dust. Her bright platinum hair sat in a nest of curls atop her head, the crown of the land holding it in place. Her father stood stone-faced, uncertain of those who had gathered to defend them.
"I still believe we should handle this on our own, my daughter. What if they find what you seek and steal it for themselves?" He spoke, leaning over into her ear to keep the conversation between them. "Papa, they would do no such thing. The hound's leader is rumored to be our generations Keeper. If such things are real, it is known that they are honest and loyal to all living beings. They will not cross us, I give you my word. They have slept beneath our roof, eaten our food, and benefitted from our healers. They hold nothing but love and debt to our mercy." Ramsra cut his eyes, folding his arms over his chest as he watched and waited for the fabled Keeper to emerge.
The Arecaesions stood in robes of amber brown leather trimmed in golden thread. Over the past weeks, the rumors of a new Elemental Guardian emerging had gathered many allies. From the free country of Aurore had come the Edaric hounds, a brash and violent breed. Despite their disposition, the creatures were built for brute strength and loyalty. Those who had come to join the ranks of the Talon army were those left of their race. In exchange for their commitment in the wars to come, the royal family had granted them Emrailia. A land won in battle nearly a century ago. In the eyes of the Edarics, they were to be given back their homeland.
From the Isles of Nar came the warriors of Sek. Both men and women had taken up arms, sending the strongest of the land to Crystal Springs. Unlike many nations, the native people were barbaric and lived to bring death to any who dared rise forth as an enemy. Their horses were of tall and muscular structure, chargers bred for longevity and stamina. Their rust-colored fur coats remained as vibrant as their riders. Swords, arrows, trebuchets, and shields were pulled and transported at the might of the Edaric hounds. They were not incredibly intelligent, but they made up for it in brutal combat. They could travel for days pulling three times their weight without tiring. A skill both Laxrindren and Hexonia found very useful. The massive crowd had come to form on the plain of Jacqulirowe. The royal family stood examining the mingling face of nearly every creature thought known to Evernia.
"I never thought I would live to see the day when dragons stood beside hellhounds in peace," spoke Elder Ramsra. "With time all things change, Father," spoke the King. "I suppose you are right, my son. Though some things may change, only to return to their prior state. That is what I fear most. The fear of death will drive any creature to do unlikely things. If you had the opportunity to live forever would you share it with your mortal enemy?" "I would, Father. It is why I stand here upon this glorious day as I do." "The past is a bitter and jaded thing. Let us leave it where it belongs," Hexonia interjected. "We are not heathens, my dear daughter. While we may come to accept and forget the past, others will not. The Wars of Origin did come to pass. What if they are using our knowledge to gain the power to claim vengeance? We hold the wits to figure out such cryptic and ancient things, but we lack the strength. We always have, perhaps they have come to figure that out. May I remind you of the Embryonic Era."
Hexonia took her father's hand tenderly. "You are living in the past. Look to the future we could create with them at our side as equals. It has always fallen to the division of race. Times have changed, it is time to let go of what did not succeed then and turn to what matters now. That is our advancement and survival as one culture. We no longer stand imprisoned by the chains of hatred and misunderstanding. The only thing that is holding us back now is the fact that we will not let go of a time we were not born into. I do not mean to say we should disregard what was done to us, nor should we overlook the trials we put their race through. What I am saying is that the time has come to look at those facts and forgive each other for our crimes of imperfection." Laxrindren turned to his wife pride beaming from his eyes.
"You speak words of unmatched wisdom this day, my love. Father Ramsra, please consider her words. Yes, we are the grandchildren of those wronged. But what has that left us with? We hate them for reasons not our own. For centuries we have misunderstood something we were created beside. Not because we wished to, but because it was what we were taught. It is what we came to believe because of the misery and scorn of our forefathers. What a father shows his son is carried through generations. Let us guide our children with love and understanding so that we may rise together. This is where we begin, this how the future shall come to be. It starts with us, and the realization that the past must die if we are to live."
The Emperor gave a nod of his head in acceptance. "Your words carry much weight, my children. It is a shame when your offspring comes to have more wisdom than yourself. I shall stand with you in your choices, and do all I can to support our soldiers. It is time for a revolution of the life-forms." The song of the horn of battle came to sound. Zacura had begun to emerge in her full suit of armor. Her paws, ears, and face had been left uncovered by request of Manuke. She had come to grow in size since her first arrival in Crystal Springs. She had come to greet the royal pair no larger than an average horse. Now she stood trotting towards them as large as an adolescent dragon.
The power she had come to conceive now sat growing within her. With each passing day she trained and consumed its energy, she grew. Zacura was unsure why she had come to continue to grow after nearly a century of halted progression. Such questions she did not go too far into having answered. She, Manuke, and Canavis came to stand before the Royals their heads bowed in respect. Zacura flared her nostrils and took in the scents around her. There was one very familiar. As her head came to rise, she locked her eyes onto Lord Raye'zore. The smell was coming from him. She shook it off and came to look directly into the draconic pair's eyes.
"I shall return to you victorious. I shall lead your masses into battle and do my best to see them all return to you." Hexonia smiled and extended her jeweled hand to stroke Zacura's cheek. "I have faith in your abilities to do so. Manuke and I have spoken of the power, you now wield and those to come. I fear not our foe, but the destruction you may leave in your wake. Promise me that if you find any other who may aid us that you will return them here safely. Spare any lives you can and kill only those who stand in your way." "I vow to carry out the tasks asked of me. You have my word. I will not take a life unjustly." Hexonia bowed her head in respect and looked to Manuke. "Do you still know the way to Morgaideign?" "Yes I do, M'lady. I will see them there and back again in the safest manner possible."
Ramsra stepped forward giving a full bow of respect before speaking to the old wolf. "Beware the Arch of Desolation. Many have crossed it and never returned." "Your concern is indeed an honor, Lord Raye'zore, yet no harm shall come to us there. It is Morgaideign itself I fear. Those who call the city behind that wall home are far from those of friendly nature. I do believe you all understand that blood will indeed be spilled in your name for a good reason. The inhabitants of Morgaideign will do all they can to kill us if given a chance. This battle will simply be a process of elimination."
"Then I send you my love and prayers that you are left unharmed in our quest. I bid you fair well," Hexonia said moving to fall into her husband's arms. He too said his goodbyes and watched as the masses moved out. The Warriors moved with a quick yet sustainable pace. The roar of Zacura leading them onward into the sun.
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