The Fallen Kings

by P D Atkerson

  “You’re taking all of that?” Aroron asked, staring at the huge bags.

  Slanslot glared at him. “Yeah, you have a problem with that?” he asked, taking a step towards Aroron.

  “Okay, you two.” Lilay said, forcing a smile as she stepped between them. “Why don’t you both just cool off.”

  Aroron looked towards her and noticed she looked like she was still half asleep, and would rather be doing that, than packing her things for a long hike. She probably wasn’t going to enjoy this little journey any more than they were.

  After all, her job was to keep them from killing each other, which Aroron doubted was going to be easy.

  He tried to cool off, but he couldn’t help still being mad at Slanslot. “If you fall behind, don't expect me to wait for you!” he hissed, jabbing his finger at Slanslot. “Now, come on. We’re leaving, now.”

  A small group of Elouns waited outside the palace and seemed to have formed to see them off. Aroron wasn’t sure if they were there for him, or Slanslot and Lilay. He was leaning towards the latter. They hardly knew him and he was happy to keep it that way.

  Lilay and Slanslot began to say their goodbyes.

  Aroron dropped his gaze to the ground, as he buttoned up the coat the High Elder had given him. He waited a minute, then, slinging his bag over his shoulder, Aroron nodded towards Slanslot and Lilay, without a word to either of them, or the other Elouns, he started forwards.

  It didn't take long, before the stone covered court yard disappeared and was replaced by ice and snow. His boots crunched on the fresh snow, as he began the long hike up the side of the mountain. It felt good to be outside the stuffy walls of the Eloun city. He hadn’t realized how suffocating it had been until he was free from it.

  Aroron felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

  He wasn’t sure if it was because of what the High Elder had said, or what it was, but he felt like he had to be someone else when he was there. He had to be this ‘Dragon King’, they’d expected.

  No matter what happened, he had no plan of returning to Glunot. Ever. At least, as far as he had control over it. The place was not for him. He didn’t want to admit it to himself, but in the back of his mind, Aroron almost missed having to hide from King Munay and fight off the warriors when they did find him.

  After about an hour of walking at a steady pace, Aroron glanced behind them and whistled under his breath. No wonder the High Elder had said he wouldn’t be able to find his way back.

  There was nothing to see, but swirling white and blue behind them.

  If Aroron hadn’t known better, he would have believed there wasn’t anything out there but ice and snow. Yet there was a living, breathing city filled with hundreds of Elouns.

  He took in a deep breath and turned back to the path in front of him, by now Slanslot walked beside him and they were moving forwards when they heard a yelp.

  “Will you please wait up!” Lilay yelled, far behind Aroron and Slanslot. They both stopped and turned back toward her. They watched as she went slipping and sliding all over the place. When she finally reached them, she bent over and gasped for breath. “Can we please take a rest?”

  “No!” Aroron snapped. “We don’t have time.”

  “Come on, Aroron.” She said, and he thought for sure she was going to cry.

  He growled. “Fine, but only for a few moments.”

  “Thanks!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. Aroron glanced towards Slanslot and noticed he was glaring at him, he just shook his head and pulled away from Lilay. Why did he feel like he’d just agreed to stop for the day? Probably because that was what was going to happen.

  At this rate, they might make it to the campsite before the next winter, if they were lucky.

  Aroron walked forwards a little further, until he found a small alcove leading into the snow mountain. At least in there the wind wouldn't be biting at them. He led them inside and found a spot to sit down. Lilay and Slanslot followed him a few seconds later.

  “It’s cold.” Lilay mumbled, rubbing her arms.

  “Will you please stop complaining?” Aroron growled, scooting up against the icy wall. “Unless of course, you can start a fire out here. Can you?” he asked, letting his eyes flicker closed.

  “I can.” Slanslot mumbled, still standing next to the entrance. “Do you want me to start one, Lilay?”

  She quickly nodded. “Yes, please. I haven’t been this cold since before the awakening. I guess I’ve adjusted back to being warm all the time.”

  Slanslot flashed her a smile, knelt down and began to scrap away the ice covering the ground. Once that was done, he went outside and returned, carrying an armful of wood.

  Aroron was right, they weren’t planning on leaving there any time soon. Sighing, he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. At some point later, he found himself drifting off to sleep. When he opened his eyes again, it was dark outside the alcove and he knew night had already come.

  They'd been gone all day, yet they were only an hour away from the city. This was going to be a long journey. When he looked around the cave, he noticed Slanslot and Lilay sitting next to the fire, whispering to each other.

  He was just about to say something to them, when he heard a strange sound not far away.

  “Wolves!” Aroron hissed, jumping to his feet. “They were attracted by the food.” He’d been an idiot to fall asleep! He should have known better. Grabbing up his things, Aroron doused the fire with snow. “We need to get out of here, now!”

  “Do we have to?” Lilay asked, frowning.

  Aroron couldn’t believe her! Was she crazy? “In here, we’re easy prey for them. If you want to die, then stay here and wait for them to come for you.”

  Slanslot jumped to his feet and grabbed up his things. “I hate to say it, but he’s right. We need to go.” He took Lilay’s arm and helped her to her feet. “Come on!”

  They hurried out of the cave and into the chilling night.

  Aroron tightened the strap of his bag, and looked around. That’s when he saw them.

  Not far off, he could see the yellow glowing eyes of the wolves, even through the falling snow. The sight of them turned Aroron’s blood cold. Quickly, he turned back towards Lilay and Slanslot.

  “Run!” he yelled, shoving them forwards.

  Stumbling forwards, they ran as fast as they could through the deep snow. The wind tore at them, as they bolted away from their campsite, throwing freezing cold snow in their faces, blinding them.

  It was as if everything was working against them, trying to get them killed. “Keep moving!” Aroron yelled, over the sound of the howling wind. He couldn’t even hear any answer as they continued on.

  It wasn’t a second later that Lilay slipped, went tumbling to the ground, and rolled towards the edge of the peak. Both Aroron and Slanslot lunged towards her, but was too late. She was too far away from them. She screamed, as she slid over the side of the ledge.

  Aroron and Slanslot ran forwards and dropped down next to the ledge.

  They could see Lilay below them. She looked unhurt, but the wolves were closing in on her. With only a small ledge separating them, they clawed at it and would soon be able to climb up it.

  “Lilay, hang on!” Aroron yelled down to her, thinking through what he should do.

  The wolves yipped, as they snapped at Lilay. She screamed again and scooted back as far as she could. Aroron could see even from up there, that she was shaking with fear. He couldn’t just watch and do nothing.

  Next to him, Slanslot just sat there, frozen.

  A whole lot of help he was! Aroron rolled his eyes. He was going to have to do something on his own. He slung his bag off his shoulder, grabbed onto the edge, and swung himself down.

  He hurried to her.

  “Get back up there!” he ordered Lilay, quickly turning to face the wolves. When he saw them so close, his stomach dropped, but there was no backing out now. Drawing his sword, Aroron ran to
wards the edge. At the same time, he and the leader of the pack, jumped. Quickly, Aroron lunged towards it, stabbing at the wolf, just barely missing.

  They snarled and snapped at him, but he stood his ground.

  Aroron yelled and lashed out at them. “Slanslot, help her, now!” he ordered, fighting off the wolves. They howled, retreating. Aroron knew it wasn’t likely to last long. They had to take their opening while they had it. “Go!” he yelled, glancing back at Lilay.

  She nodded and shoved herself to her feet. Spinning around, she ran towards the ledge where Slanslot waited. “What’s wrong with you?” Slanslot yelled, grabbing her arm. Groaning, as he slowly pulled her back up and onto the ledge. “Are you trying to get yourself killed? You’ve got to be more careful.”

  Once they were both on top, Aroron yelled up to them. “Now, help me!” he said, running towards the edge. They grabbed his arms, and together they helped him scramble up the side of the icy cliff.

  Trying to catch his breath, Aroron rolled over and onto his back.

  Slanslot sat next to him, as out of breath as he and Lilay were.

  Aroron could tell he’d obviously been worried about Lilay, his face was still frowning. He wondered if Lilay noticed, she didn’t seem to. She just sat there, looking like she was on the edge of crying.

  Looking at the two of them, Aroron still didn’t understand why the High Elder had decided to send them with him. He doubted Lilay could fight, even if her life depended on it, Slanslot probably wouldn’t help him when it came down to it. He might even fight against him, Aroron wouldn’t put it past him.

  If anything, Aroron felt less safe with them. It was like he was babysitting two little children and no matter what he said to the High Elder, if either of them died, he was going to blame himself.

  Plus, there was the fact that, with Lilay and Slanslot’s white hair, and their faces not being normal, they would stick out. Either they would be thought of as all being Odditys, or the truth, that two of them were Elouns. Neither of those were good outcomes, and both likely.

  Aroron wanted to just lay there for a few minutes, but he knew he couldn’t. The wolves, he was sure, were just looking for a way up there to finish them off. “We’re still not safe here.” He said, sighing as he shoved himself off the ground. “We’ve got to keep moving.”

  Slanslot nodded, pushed himself up and helped Lilay.

  “Thanks for saving me back there.” She whispered, grabbing Aroron’s arm. “You were very brave to face them like that.”

  “I’ve faced worse monsters than that in the Dubh-Woods.” Aroron said, shrugging as he pulled his arm free from her grasp.

  “The Dubh-Woods? What monsters are there?” Lilay asked, frowning. She obviously looked confused.

  “You know… the Dubh-Panthers?” Aroron said, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me they weren’t around before the Great War!” He shook his head. “Never mind, let’s just get out of here.”

  “I’ve lost all track of where we are.” Lilay said, looking around them at the swirling white mountain side. “Which way do we go now?”

  Aroron closed his eyes and racked his brain. “That way, I think.” He said, pointing east.

  “You sound so sure.” Slanslot mumbled, crossing his arms as he shivered.

  “And you know which way we should go?” Aroron asked.

  “I would go east. You just had a lucky guess.” He mumbled, before spinning around and marching off. Aroron glanced towards Lilay, she shrugged, and they followed after him.

  * * *

  Chapter 5

  Burned Down

  Enrick hadn’t slept well the night before. The wind howled around them most of the night, keeping him awake. When he did sleep, he couldn’t help but dream of being attacked by wolves during the night.

  He wasn’t sure if it was the wind that caused the dreams, or something else. Whatever the reason, he was exhausted when he finally got up. He felt like he had less energy than he had the day before. He dressed and made his way out of the tent. If he couldn’t sleep anymore, he might as well see who else was up.

  As it turned out, the camp was still very quiet and no one seemed to be around. He found Fray draped over a table, staring intently at the map laid spread out before him, a half full mug of ale sitting next to him. He looked like Enrick felt, with his messy hair and bags under his eyes.

  “That must be one interesting map.” Prince Enrick said, stepping through the tent flaps.

  The Warrior looked up at him, forcing a smile. “Good morning, sir.” He said, turning back towards the map. He tapped away at the map.

  “What are you doing?” Enrick asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he sat down across from him and leaned back against the chair.

  “Oh, I was just trying to make sure we’re headed the right way to Hatter.” He mumbled, rubbing his head.

  “Oh? Well, how much farther to Hatter?” Enrick asked, running his hand through his hair as he stared up at the roof of the tent.

  The warrior looked up at him and bit his lip. “If we wanted to, we could make it there by the end of the day.” He said. “But that would be riding without many stops, and I mean at all.”

  Enrick nodded. “Alright, then when do you suggest we leave?”

  Fray cleared his throat and seemed to think about it for a minute, before answering. “It would probably be best if we leave after breakfast.” He said, fingering the map. “As it is, we’ve taken long enough to get there.”

  “Do you think we’ve taken too long to get there?” Enrick asked. “Do you think it was a bad choice on my part?”

  “I don’t see how it’s my place to say, either way.” He said. “You’re the captain, it’s your choice what we do.”

  “You’ve got the vague answers down, don’t you Fray?” Prince Enrick asked, laughing as he shook his head.

  “I wouldn’t know, sir.” He mumbled, clearing his throat.

  “Alright then, we’ll leave after breakfast.” Prince Enrick said, shoving himself to his feet. “I think I’m going back to my tent and try to sleep a little longer.”

  “About that sir…” one of the other warriors said, stepping into the tent with Fray and Enrick. “There might be a problem.”

  “What?” Enrick asked, crossing his arms as he moved towards the warrior. “Is something wrong?”

  The warrior glanced around the small tent and seemed to settle on staring at the ground. “You have a guest, your majesty.” He said, glancing up at the prince. “Lord Dasety is here, waiting for you in your tent. He wouldn’t speak to anyone before you, so I sent him there to wait.”

  “Great.” The prince mumbled, shaking his head. “Just great.” It wasn’t a good thing that his father’s adviser was there. He could think of a hundred reasons and none of them ended well for him. “Well, I’d better go see what he wants.” He said, pushing past the warrior. Bad news is like food, it just grows worse the longer you leave it. He thought to himself as he headed towards his tent.

  With every step he took, his feet grew heavier. He was dreading what Dasety wanted. Straightening out his clothing, he headed the last hundred feet towards his tent. Taking a deep breath, Enrick pulled the flaps back and stepped into the dimly lit tent.

  When Dasety saw Enrick, he quickly stood to meet him. He bowed his head towards the prince. “My lord.”

  “Dasety, I wasn’t expecting you here so soon.” Enrick said, unhooking his cloak from around his shoulders, he tossed it onto the chair and sat down. He might as well figure out what he was up against. “Did anyone come with you?”

  “Yes.” Dasety said, nodding. “I brought a few Loyal Warriors along with me, by your father’s request.”

  “Oh?” Prince Enrick said, shoving himself back to his feet. He couldn’t sit still, not yet. He eyed Dasety. Did he think Enrick was stupid? Obviously, there was a reason for his visit and it wasn’t just a friendly one. “What are you really doing here? I haven’t heard a word from you since I left the Dar
k Castle six weeks ago. So, why are you here?”

  Dasety rubbed his neck and sighed. “Your father sent me to make sure everything was moving forwards with the plan.”

  “Of course!” Enrick hissed, turning sharply away from Dasety. He glared at the fabric flapping in front of him. “Dear father would never trust me to finish this on my own, now would he?” he whispered.

  “Have you been able to finish it?” Dasety asked, eyeing Enrick. “Because, if you have, I need not be here.”

  Enrick spun around and glared at him. “No, I haven’t but that’s not the point, Dasety.” He hissed. “The point is, no matter what I do, Munay will never trust me with anything important. I will never be the commander of the Karlien armies. I’ve taken my cue from him and burned down a village to get what he wants! Yet, he’ll never see me as anything more than a child.”

  “Oh? So that was you?” Dasety said, laughing. “I saw what was left of the village on my way here. Your father would be very proud of your work, there was nothing left.”

  “Yes, and that’s the only thing he’d ever be proud that I’ve done.” Enrick mumbled, staring at the ground. “Nothing else I do is ever good enough for him. I’m just an insignificant pawn in his game of chess.”

  “The thing about pawns, Enrick, is at the right moment, they can become the most powerful piece on the board.”

  “That sounds nice, but do you ever see me becoming more than my father’s puppet?”

  Dasety sighed, but didn’t deny it. Instead, he tried his best to change the conversation. “So, what’s your plan now?” he asked. “You’ve burned a village down, but how does that help you? Where are you going from here?”

  “We’re headed to Hatter.” Enrick said, letting out a long breath. Maybe Dasety wasn’t there to chastise him after all. “I’ve spread the word that I’m looking for the Feeler. If she’s out there, she’ll meet us there.”

  “How can you be certain?”

  “From what you’ve told me about her, she’ll come, once she hears I plan on burning Hatter down if she doesn’t.”

  “Hopefully.” Dasety mumbled, rubbing his chin. “When are you planning on leaving?”