“I don’t know, Ohmbryn! You are supposed to know!” she walked away from him again, very upset, “I awoke at their necks, sucking the very life out of them, like some sort of vampire! Is that what I am, Ohmbryn? Is that what my mother was?” She turned to Ohmbryn, tearfully, “Tell me, Ohmbryn! Tell me what my mother told you!” she screamed.
“My queen,” Ohmbryn went to her taking her hands, “You are no monstrosity, you are a beautiful creature of magic, everything about you is precious.” He said trying to calm her, “This is not your fault, this is a coming of age, it can be controlled.”
“Coming of age?” She said shaking her head in disbelief, “I have already reached the age of womanhood, years ago, I am no child!”
“My queen, you must remember you are not human, you are only a child of your kind, your years will be innumerable.” Ohmbryn smiled, “I did not realize how soon it would come, I thought we had more time before this.” He glanced back to the cell.
“How can you say this is beautiful?” She cried.
“I promise you, my queen, this is not your fault, I blame myself, had I not betrayed your trust, I could have warned you.” Ohmbryn said.
“Is that why you betrayed me, Ohmbryn, because I’m this thing?” She said still crying.
“No, my queen.” Ohmbryn smiled at her, “You were new to the crown, some of the people were worried about you, and what differences their might be between you and your mother. Fear of the unknown. There was no real threat to you, my queen, only fearful elves talking.”
“I killed them, Ohmbryn.” She jerked away from him. Ohmbryn grabbed her back to face him, “What am I, Ohmbryn?”
“You are a creature of magic, you are a Vordalyn.” He said.
“Vordalyn?” she repeated.
“My queen, let me be your advisor again, I want your trust, let me help you, I will tell you everything I know to help you through this.” He said looking down in her eyes. She said nothing, but tearfully nodded her assent. “We have important business to attend, let’s talk about that, away from here.” He smiled, she smiled in return then wiped her eyes. Then suddenly, as if the entire conversation never happened, she turned taking his arm and began to walk.
“If you betray me again Ohmbryn, you’ll be a dead old man.” She giggled. Ohmbryn’s face went pale as they walked. By the time they left the dungeon she was herself again. The guards waited outside for them. “Inside the cell are four bodies,” She said to the captain of the guard, “Lord Dracon killed Them, with some dark magic, he is in league with the demon, Terrax. We must prepare for war against evil. Spread the word, Dracon killed Treska to seize power of Ganlin, making a deal with Terrax to help.”
“Yes, my queen,” The Captain nodded.
“Make sure everyone sees this,” She said to the Captain, “Ohmbryn, fill in the blanks, and make it plausible.”
“Yes, my queen.” Ohmbryn smiled, “Very shrewd.” He commented. She shot him a glance, then softened and smiled at him.
“Yes.” She said as they continued, “Tell me, what happened with my brothers?”
“Well,” He started, “Their caravan was waylaid, by soldiers claiming your brother Charnio had died.”
“Is that so?” she said smiling.
“Furthermore, they claimed Lord Dracon had returned and named this man the new ruler of Charnio’s lands, threatening violence to any who trespass, on either Charnio’s former lands or Dracon’s current lands.” Ohmbryn explained as they walked arm in arm, “We should begin preparations for an attack.”
“I don’t think so.” Queen Menina said still smiling, “This leader, do you know who he is?”
“Uh, yes, Alkwin, he was Charnio’s second.” Ohmbryn answered.
“Curious,” She pondered, “Why wasn’t he in attendance like all my other brother’s seconds?”
“That, I do not know my queen.” Ohmbryn said.
“Dracon has not returned.” Queen Menina said flatly.
“You’re sure?” Ohmbryn asked.
“Yes, Ohmbryn, someone is using his name, that is all, I’d wager this Alkwin is behind it, or knows who is.” She stopped, facing Ohmbryn, “Dracon would come straight to Urixis, he would not hide. He would come see me without haste. Let’s meet this Alkwin. See if we can’t draw him into a meeting with us.”
“Yes, my queen.” Ohmbryn nodded, “Uh, your brothers are very unnerved by all of this. They wish to see you immediately.”
“Of course, they are.” She giggled, “This whole thing reeks of Charnio.”
Chapter Twenty
The Priests of O’on cowered in fear of Dracon and his group. None dared speak for fear of death. Venalina examined the device that opened and closed the portal. Dracon walked around the Priest of O’on who spoke up, who also cowered in fear of him.
“You said you can operate this thing,” Dracon pointed at the device with his open hand, “Open it.” he said.
The Priest looked at Dracon then at Venalina. She returned his look with a snarl on her lips, making him look away, “Can you prove you killed Terrax?” he asked.
Dracon laughed, “You wish to join him, I see.”
“No,” he raised his hands up to protect himself, “I only wish to say, if it is true, then you can rule the Priests of O’on, my lord.”
“I am no Battlemage.” Dracon chuckled at the thought of it. Venalina was suddenly at his side, out of thin air.
“Think of it my lord,” She whispered in his ear, “You wish to know if ever a Terrax would again rise?” She stroked his cheek with her hand, “How could one ever rise under your rule?” Dracon listened, not looking away from the priest.
“All our knowledge would be opened up to your eyes alone.” The Priest said, overhearing Venalina’s words. His offer made her eyes widen and she grabbed Dracon’s face with one hand turning him to look at her.
“Yes!” She said still in a whisper. Thikuf stood away from the other Priests of O’on watching Dracon and Venalina, trying to hear what was going on. Satana walked over to him.
“What’s going on?” Satana asked Thikuf.
“I don’t know,” he said, “I can’t hear them. I think there still trying to get him to open the portal.”
“A portal, home.” Satana smiled.
“Are you going to leave me here in this cave?” Thikuf asked looking around, then glancing over at the Priests of O’on, “With them?” Satana laughed.
“I hadn’t considered that.” she said with a chuckle.
“It’s nice to see I was successful in endearing myself to you.” Thikuf smiled at her.
“Satana,” Dracon called to her.
“Yes, my lord,” she said moving to the base of the pedestal.
“Go get me the head of Terrax.” He commanded.
“Yes, my lord,” Satana walked back past Thikuf, “Come on Thikuf, make sure I don’t get lost.”
“How does this work?” Dracon asked the Priest, still on his knees. Venalina became a mist again, reappearing at the device.
One of the other Priest’s suddenly stood and yelled, “Our master Terrax will return!” he said suddenly finding courage, “Fight my brothers!” he raised a fist in the air. The other priests did not react to his call to arms. Velen walked over quickly, and punched the priest in the ribs with the hilt of his sword, stealing his breath, dropping him to the ground. His fellow priests scurried like rats away from him. Dracon walked to the edge of the landing to watch the exchange, looking at the priests for any other unrest.
Satana and Thikuf returned in an hour, with the bag containing Terrax’s head. Dracon opened it without pause and raised it up for the priest to see, then tossed it at the priest on the landing with he and Venalina. The priest rolled it over, inspecting it, then stood up with the head in his hands. He walked to the edge closest to the priest, who were still cowering next to where the portal was once open. He raised the head above him for the others to see. “Terrax is dead, all hail Dracon!” the Priest of O’on stood slo
wly, coming closer to look up at the head. One at a time the priest began to agree, then they all began to chant in unison kneeling and bending over, repeatedly during their chant. Dracon stood on the edge of the landing watching the Priests of O’on.
“What are they doing?” Dracon asked.
The Priest who held up the head of Terrax turned to Dracon, “They are spreading the word, my Lord Dracon.” He walked back to the portal device to use it. Venalina stepped in front of him stopping him with her hand freezing him in place with her power. She turned her hand like she was crushing something. The priest started to shake and gasp.
“Let him go.” Dracon said, “What are you doing?” he asked the priest.
“I am opening the portal, for the others.” The priest informed him. Satana joined them on the landing.
“My lord, are you sure you want to let them all back here?” Satana asked.
“One way or another, this ends,” Dracon said.
“Today!” Venalina hissed, then stepped aside from the device. The priest went to work, opening the portal while the other priests continued to chant. When the portal opened, the battlemages were standing ahead of hundreds of priests. There were no creatures with them. They slowly made their way back through the portal, the conjurers immediately joined their brethren, while the Battlemages stood below the landing looking up at Dracon, Venalina, and the priest. The Battlemages, one by one, took a knee. All accept for one who stared up at Dracon. He yelled up at the group on the landing, words Dracon could not understand. Dracon looked at the priest who closed the portal and then joined Dracon.
“He challenges you for the right to rule the Priests of O’on.” He said, “It is always this way when a ruler has been killed, you must solidify your rule with an example, of your power.” Dracon nodded and hopped down from the landing, facing off with the Battlemage. Dracon’s men, Thikuf and Satana moved behind Dracon. The priest all rose from their knees and a large circle was created around the two men, eagerly awaiting the impending dual. Venalina walked to the edge of the landing to watch, standing next to the priest. “He who wins this battle will rule the Priests of O’on forever, Kina. When one seizes power, witnessed by all the Priests of O’on, there is no doubt, or resistance.” He whispered to Venalina.
Dracon moved like lightning across the space that separated them, but the Battlemage was quick as well, launching a shield that bounced Dracon back, then the shield turned to a blast of force sending Dracon back, hard to the ground and sliding across it some fifteen feet. Dracon jumped up to his feet, the Battlemage shot at Dracon like an arrow, propelled by a magical burst, hitting Dracon with his shoulder, fully into Dracon’s chest, again knocking him back. The Battlemage wore plate mail armor but moved like he wore none. He was faster than Dracon was, even with his augmented Drow armor. The Battlemage started to motion around him casting a spell in the air, Dracon was on his knees, shaking off the last blow. The Battlemage aimed both his hands at Dracon choking him from afar. Then a green gas surrounded Dracon, poisoning him. He writhed on the ground trying to fight it. For all his ability to resist the cut of a blade, he was helpless against the Battlemages magic. Satana started toward Dracon, to help, but Thikuf and Velen both stopped her. She screamed. The Battlemage walked slowly over to Dracon, his hands glowing, then stood over him chanting. Dracon began to convulse. Suddenly, a black mist appeared between the Battlemage and Dracon, that quickly became Venalina, she swiped her hand at the battlemage, throwing him across the battlefield with a scream of anger, then began hissing words, as she marched at the Battlemage, her hand stretched out, like she was grabbing him from afar, she closed her hand and he was crushed within his own armor as if he were a piece of paper she crumpled in her open palm. He was left a pile of metal, that oozed a person from within. She disappeared into a mist, then reappeared the same way next to Dracon, who had stopped moving or breathing, she gathered him to her lap then stuck her face in his neck. She pulled her head up gasping, tearfully, then screamed tilting her head back in anger and anguish, she laid him down and straddled him and again put her face in his neck screaming as she did. Satana, Thikuf, Velen, and the rest of the men hurried to their side looking on. Satana was tearful and covered her mouth watching, Velen put his hand on her shoulder, she turned into him, hugging him, and crying. Venalina sat back up, looking down at Dracon, expectantly. He opened his eyes like he had been asleep.
“Did I win?” He asked, making Venalina smile down at him, she fell back down on top of him hugging him. Satana spun back to see he was not dead and was relieved, she pushed Velen away from her.
“I knew it,” She said, “See, I told you, you had nothing to cry about.” she said to Velen shoving his shoulder again. Venalina stood up, she and Thikuf each took one of Dracon’s hands and helped him stand up. They all surrounded Dracon smiling, happy he was not dead.
“What are you called, my lady,” A Priest asked Venalina, humbly.
“I am Venalina,” She snarled at him.
“All hail Venalina!” He shouted, “Goddess of Death, incarnate! Ruler of the O’on!” All the priests repeated the words and knelt before her. They worshipped her, and offered up all their knowledge to her in a ceremony, that magically transferred it to her. The use of the portal, their history, her history, the history of the Ffrei, how the Priests of O’on splintered from their Ffrei brethren and why. Venalina was infused with all their power and how to use all their magical devices. When she was done with the ceremony, Venalina was very quiet, processing it all. Venalina was dressed in a black silk gown, and crowned with an onyx tiara. The final right of the ritual was to choose her champion, Dracon was chosen of course. Then his ceremonial armor was created by Venalina, the likes of which was demonic in nature, magically enhanced to send fear to all that stood across from him in battle. Then his weapon, she dubbed The Unholy Reaver, its power could cause rot, and disease, to any it’s blade touched, save for its master. It was a formidable weapon, sharp beyond comprehension. It took days for Venalina to create it, which was a short amount of time. The others learned what they could from the priests, who served and treated them, no longer as enemies, but as honored guests. The Priests of O’on knew Venalina was a Kina, they also knew she would be the strongest ruler they had ever known. Her kind was why The Priests of O’on were assembled, to hunt down and kill them, thousands of years ago. When the Kina, were once known as the Vordalyn. When most of the Vordalyn died or fled, The Priests of O’on took what they learned from them and separated from the rest of the Ffrei. Venalina was able to learn everything she could not from her mother, who had died when she was still a child. The Priests of O’on had detailed information on the Vordalyn, their history and power, everything Venalina could ever want to know. They even knew why the night rarely came. It took a while for her to feel normal again with all she had learned. She shared what she could with Dracon, but there was a lot she could not find words for, or even understand herself.
Chapter Twenty-One
The expulsion of humans from the city of Urixis had an unexpected effect on the lands of Ganlin. With fear driving the people to seek out the safety they once had in Urixis, many people went to the lands of Dracon’s realm. At first, the refugees surrounded his manor in camps. Then, as more people sought the safety of being near Dracon’s home, a city had sprung up around it. They cared for his manor, keeping it ready for his eventual return, improving upon it, making it palatial. Throughout the lands of Dracon, towns, villages, and farming communities, sprung to life. Trading between each other regularly, and under the protection of Alkwin and his men, the communities began to flourish. Once, what was a land only soldiers dared, became a home the residents of Ganlin had always dreamed of, when the times of war ended. Every region started to trade with the towns and cities within the borders of Dwerma. Urixis had started to diminish, unable to support itself without help from the rest of Ganlin. They too, needed to trade outside the borders of Urixis. The other regions had an easier time trading between t
hem, but finding anyone to trade with Urixis after the expulsion of the humans by Queen Menina was difficult. She needed to find a diplomatic solution, force was not going to be an option, she was not ready for all-out war. She needed to meet with Alkwin for more than one reason now.
No elf could safely enter the lands of Dracon or Charnio. They would need a human to deliver any message. Ohmbryn sent word to Renic to relay a message to Alkwin, and to the supposedly returned Dracon, for a meeting with Queen Menina. Charnio was waiting for this message and donned one of Dracon’s suits of armor for the encounter. Alkwin met the messenger from Renic first, and escorted him to the now city, of Dragons Claw. Charnio did his best to scare the messenger without taking his helmet off and keeping his meeting brief, refusing to attend any meeting with the queen. Alkwin accepted the invitation, and with a company of men, travelled to the lands of Urixis. They were met at the border by Ohmbryn and a large show of force by the elven army.
“I’m here by invitation.” Alkwin announced to Ohmbryn and the soldiers. Ohmbryn trotted forward.
“You have killed many citizens of Ganlin, you will leave your men here, we will escort you to Queen Menina.” Ohmbryn said halting his horse ahead of the elven army.
“You speak of the citizens of Ganlin as if you knew who they were?” Alkwin rode ahead of his men meeting Ohmbryn, “I see citizens of Ganlin thrown out of its capital, before King Treska’s body could cool to the touch.” Alkwin looked Ohmbryn over, “I see starving and neglected citizens, searching for protection, once given behind you there, in the home of the true King Dracon.”
“Queen Menina awaits,” Ohmbryn smiled, “Our debate here would resolve nothing, why not speak to the queen directly?” Alkwin’s horse danced back and forth while he thought about what Ohmbryn said.
“When my Lord Charnio came here to see Menina, he came out on deaths door. Then shortly after returning home to his wife, who was with child, he died.” Alkwin trotted back to his men, “Forgive my reluctance to follow his footsteps, errand boy.”
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