The clouds had come to rest upon the ground in a thickness of stained white fog, the breeze as sharp and bitter cold as steel. Crystal Springs had fallen silent for the time being, its inhabitants warm and sleeping in their homes. All had fallen to rest not to rise until noonday, with the exception of King Talon and his priestess. Laxrindren had found his way into her hut just outside the castle gates. The scent of brew, the warmth of fire, and the sounds of wind chimes filled his senses. Unlike most among him, the King had found a deep respect for Lady Rose; her wisdom and brutal honesty had come to intrigue him. The two sat across from each other discussing days past and those ahead, a potion as always bubbling in the center of the stone and hay hut.
The round woman came to stand, her arm reaching deep into the black iron cauldron as she gave the contents a good stir. "So, your Majesty, how fares the young girl Wailora? I notice how she goes about a ball of energy and gossip with her ladies. Though I can never quite hear who it is they speak of," she chuckled hanging the large wooden spoon upon the wall. "I believe they talk about me," he replied allowing his head to fall into his hands. The shame of his actions had returned to haunt him once more.
"The girl has feelings of admiration towards me. I tried explaining things to her, but the minds of the young often prove difficult to sway. Though I cannot place all blame upon her, I did...kiss her." Lady Rose dropped the vase and flowers she had come to hold. The thin glass shattered across the floorboards. "You kissed her, your Majesty? Actually kissed her on the lips?" Talon nodded his head. "Aye, must you remind me?" Lady Rose gave a hearty laugh and moved to begin picking the glass from the floor.
"I should. Yet it is not my place to lead a King's mind nor his cock. After all, rulers are known to take a mistress or two. Though I will grant you wisdom, the girl is a Tyliquin witch, their love is unmatched by any other. That single kiss just may have tied her to you for the rest of her life. If...that was all that came of your actions." Her tone shifted upward as if accusing Talon of sleeping with the girl. "You very well know I value your opinions, Lady Rose. It is why I have come here before the sun breaks the sky. Well honestly speaking, I have come for various reasons. All that must be attended before I return to my wife's bed. As for the kiss, that is all that happened."
"Ahh, I see, well what is done is done. Let us move onto more pressing matters. Tell me why have you come to me at such an hour other than the inappropriate burning of your loins?" Talon gave a chuckle. Despite the touchy subject, the woman had a flattering yet horrid sense of humor. He took a moment to rub the back of his neck, the anxiety of knowing she knew what he was really thinking unnerved him. But even still, her knowledge of such private and intimate matters was somewhat a comfort.
"Well, I noticed something. In all my years I have seen some of the most handsome women, both human and draconic. None have ever once aroused me like my wife can. But that night in the bath with Wailora shocked me. While my mind denied its feelings, my body did not. I was nearly fully aroused and found myself wondering what it would be like. I have heard tales about the wonders of a Tyliquin witch in the bedroom. Do you think it is simply me being a male and wondering upon things out of mere curiosity?"
"Do you wish my honest opinion, M'lord?" "Always." "Very well. The girl is much like Soria. It is rare that a Tyliquin of these years is born with the gift of seduction. Yet she was, and that means while you love your wife, and you will do everything in your power to remain faithful, you will stumble. I am not certain when, or how far you will fall before you catch yourself, but it is going to happen. That night changed everything. You see, like Soria, she has planted a seed of lust into your heart. Into your loins, perhaps even your mind, and there is but one way to dig up those seeds." "And how would I go about doing that?"
"By planting your own within her, only then will your lust come to calm." The King dropped his head and sighed. "So I must betray my wife once to save our marriage from further acts of treason?" "Yes," she replied moving to take a seat before him. "I know in your culture females are not viewed as an adult until their hundredth year. In the Tyliquin culture, the age of thirteen is the age of an adult girl. I believe it is her age that sets unease in your heart. It is not the fact you wish not to betray your wife. It is the fact that you may betray her with a child. After all, it is known that dragons have always had a fetish for the tight feel of smaller creatures. Wait until the girl's next name day when she turns sixteen and then sleep with her. She will be more than happy to oblige, and you will be set free from your new found binds."
Talon growled and stood his nails digging into his cheeks. He knew she was right, day by day his lust for the girl grew. "I will not turn my back upon my marriage. I love Hexonia, I would never bring such pain towards her." "She would never know. You must think of the future, your Grace. You are mated to a barren female. You have no children of your own to carry on your name. Yes, any child could be legitimized to bear your titles, but they did not come from your loins. That is known and seen not only in your eyes but the gods as well."
"I will not see a bastard upon my throne. My wife is not barren, she has produced children. They just...did not live as long as we had hoped." Elgama came to rub his shoulders. "With loss comes grief. Grief within a marriage eventually brings it to ruin. Perhaps I could mix together a few herbs to bring you better odds. As for the girl, I would suggest staying away from her as much as possible. The spell will only grow in strength every time you see her." "I understand. But I cannot simply ignore her. She is to become my daughter. It seems father is quite fond of the idea. My wife certainly has a way with words when it comes to that dragon. Perhaps I could speak to Hexonia about things. She is the most understanding being ever born."
"I would not entertain that idea, your grace. As understanding as she may be, she is still your wife. Never will there come a day that a female understands her mate wishes to lay with another." He sighed. "You are right, what am I thinking? Let us turn our conversation to more pressing matters. Have received any word of the army's whereabouts?" "Aye, I have. I had Falcons sent to track their progress. They were last seen passing through the city of Mwat." "They are not far from the sea then. It will only be a matter of time before they are standing before Morgaideign. Do you think we will have enough forces to bring down that wall?"
"I am uncertain. That wall has stood through every war since it was built. If Zacura Bloodclaw is what Manuke promises, that wall will fall. But if she is not, it will stand as it always has. If the wall of Qwiloe falls, you should pray to your ancestors that she remains loyal to you." "I am sure she will, what reasons does she have to turn against us? We have shown her nothing but kindness. If she is the Keeper that would mean she was born to serve those who inhabit this planet. To go against her vows as the Keeper would kill her, right?"
Elgama for the first time had fallen silent. "If she were to challenge the power of her title, she could potentially take over our world. The old wolf is dying and has been for some time. Once he is gone, there will be no being living that could stop her wrath if it were so unleashed. The Keeper of the Elements is a being divine. A lowborn god of sorts, with the ability to control everything we need to live. The amulet in which the Keeper wears has the ability to halt rainfall. That alone over time could see us all into our graves. Without rain there is no foliage, without foliage there is no meat. We would all starve or die of thirst. So either the Black Death consumes us if she fails, or there is the possibility that she could learn what she has the power to do and condemn us all to death."
Laxrindren's eyes grew wide. He was shocked beyond belief. "Why would the gods leave such a choice in the hands of a hound of Drathell. I am not prejudiced to their breed, but they are a dark race, one unpredictable, and most of all, power hungry." "The gods did no such thing. That amulet was left in the keeping of the descendants of Xyrentak, the first hound of Hailotia. I know not what line her blood stems from, but she is of elemental lineage. If she were not, she would not be able to wield the power she does. I shall tell you this now, King Talon. Either that hound is our savior, or she is our seamstress of death. Only time will tell which she will emerge as."
"If she is the Keeper, I will make certain to keep a close eye on her. I will not have our progression as a nation fall into the hands of the gods who created us. If she shows any sign that she is to turn to her beginnings, I myself shall end her life." "I would like to see you try in all do respect, your Majesty." "I am a dragon, I can conquer anything placed before me." "You believe that? May I redirect your memory to the brawl with your brother-in-marriage. He bested you, and if not for your wife, you may be dead." "He stood my equal."
"And Zacura would stand your master. Have you not witnessed her growth? I believe in things I have seen with my own eyes. Not the promises of those around me. I have read the prophesies, all of them. She fits mostly all of the criteria to be what she claims. One day that lowly hound will grow to be larger than even you. Mark my words. And when that day comes, scale or flesh, she will best you. You are a dragon, a wielder of flames of ice. You soar upon the wind, your breath consumes the air around you. You walk upon soil not your own. If there ever comes a day you must face she who controls the elements you use to live, you will fall. How can you breathe ice if she controls the water in which makes it real? How will you flee upon the wind if she commands it not to carry you? How will you run and breathe air into your lungs to strike if she damns you to smother? The legends state that an era of the hound and dragon will rise. Together as one shall they come to rule over those lost. Pray that the dragon it spoke of was you, or perhaps even your future generations."
Talon stood enraged at the facts being so rapidly fired at him. For several moments, his trust had been lost in his priestess. His mind danced upon the question of why she had waited so long to bring such valid facts to light. He took to the door and swung it open viciously. He looked over his shoulder speaking venomously. "Perhaps it is not the hound I need to be weary of." The door slammed so hard in his wake the cottage shook. Elgama watched as he stormed back towards his castle, a dark and demented grin upon her lips.
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