“Show him where to put the horses, then bring him inside to join us.” The attendant looked Um’Vec over with fear in his eyes, “Grik, see to the money.” Dracon looked at Um’Vec, “Don’t eat man.”
Dracon walked up the stairs followed by Grik and Satana, leaving a horrified young attendant to deal with a drooling Um’Vec, with blood still on his bracers and fists.
Talila was met as she entered the lobby and ushered to a well-dressed man at a counter.
“Good evening, my lady, I am Martine, welcome to the Pampered Palace, how can I be of assistance?”
Talila handed him the envelope Lord Vette gave her.
“I want three rooms, a suite, with one room adjoining, and a separate room, all on the same floor.”
Martine did not so much as glance at the envelope, keeping his eyes, and attention, on the lady before him. Talila smiled, pleased that his focus was completely on her. It made her feel even more important than she pretended to be.
“Of course, my lady, your event is in three days, am I to assume you will spend that time with us?” He asked.
“Yes.” Talila gave him a single nod.
“Very good, my lady,” Martine bowed and snapped his fingers, bringing other attendants to his side, “See the lady to her rooms, bring her anything she wishes.” He returned his attention to Talila, “If there is anything at all, please, do not hesitate to ask.”
“I’m not sharing a room with your smelly pet.” Satana announced suddenly.
Martine furrowed his brow, then tilted sideways to see past Dracon at Satana. She made a face at him and shrugged, just short of sticking her tongue out at him.
“You’ll do as you’re told!” Talila snapped, then smiled at Martine, “Sometimes, when you travel great distances with the help, they forget themselves.”
“The help?!?” Satana exclaimed.
“Control yourself,” Dracon growled low over his shoulder, “Remember your place.”
“Thank you, Martine, I’ll be sure to let you know if there is anything else.” Talila curtsied.
They followed an attendant up an ornate staircase to the left of the lobby. When they reached the suite, Talila turned to the attendant.
“When my companion arrives, put him in the adjoining suite.”
“Yes, my lady.” The attendant said with a bow.
“You can take those two, to the other room, …to share.” Talila said looking at Satana with an evil grin.
“Yes, my lady, this way, miss, sir,” He said to Grik and Satana, motioning further down the hall.
“Don’t get ideas, girlie, ya aren’t me type. I need a softer gal than you’ll ever be.” Grik chuckled following the attendant down the hall.
Satana stared at Talila a moment, then looked at Dracon, waiting for him to say something. Dracon shrugged his shoulders then walked into the suite after Talila.
“You’ll get yours, little girl!” Satana spun around and marched down the hall after Grik and the attendant.
Dracon shut the door.
“You should take it easy on her while you’re playing the role of a lady, she will be looking for payback.” Dracon started to unbutton his Drow shirt.
“I am a lady! You seem to forget that! A queen even, to your own crown, my husband!” Talila whipped her hand and the fireplace lit up with such ferocity it threatened to set everything around it ablaze. “I’m more than capable of dealing with the likes of her!” She walked away from him to a vanity mirror in the corner of the room, then started fixing her hair, “Did you forget I am a Vordalyn Princess?”
“You know what I mean. We’re all playing a role for this thief’s game.” Dracon said walking over and sitting on the bed, then pulled his boots off, after a few minutes, he asked, “Even with Venalina’s death, you’re a Vordalyn Princess?” Talila ignored his question and continued to look at herself in the mirror, brushing her hair and scowling all the while, “We left before I could get anything to eat. I’ll have a hard time sleeping…”
Talila whipped her hand again, at a table to the side of the room while he was speaking. A small feast appeared upon it. Dracon furrowed his brow and stood up, walking over to the bounty. It was every delight he could imagine. He examined the magically created meal curiously for a few seconds, then started to pick through it, popping bits into his mouth.
“Why only now?”
“What do you mean?” she asked in return, her ire was still fresh on her lips.
“This.” Dracon held up a chicken breast, then bit into it.
She considered him a moment, looking at his reflection in the mirror. Talila brushed her hair, thoughtfully, with a brush that appeared out of thin air. She returned her attention to her own reflection. Her anger vanished while pondering his question. Dracon continued to eat, watching her for an answer.
“I suppose it’s not tavern food, but I thought you would prefer my cooking?” She asked, after a few moments of contemplation.
“I do, when you actually cook, this isn’t cooking, is it? It’s magic,” He said walking toward her a step, but remaining within arm’s reach of the food, “Magic you don’t seem to be able to use at camp, or in the woods… or do you?”
“Do you really think we find meat pies, and wine, lying on the side of the road, or from some noble, would be lord’s, kitchen!?!” Her brush vanished when she stood up and turned around, suddenly angry again.
“You’re very irritable lately, Talila, what is it?”
“Not like Venalina, right?” she stepped toward him, “Venalina’s always perfect! I’m not her, am I? I’m not anyone but Talila! I am here! No one else but me! Talila, your wife! You think anyone cares for you more than I? Feeds you? Helps you sleep? But still you constantly compare me to her! A dead woman! How can anyone compete with the dead?”
Dracon watched her face turn red while he chewed his chicken and stared at her with a blank look on his face, dumbfounded by her extremely irrational anger.
“Sleep.” Venalina said and Dracon crumpled to the floor with a thud, the chicken in his hand bounced under the table.
Talila transformed instantly and uncontrollably. Black wings sprouted from her back, lifting her from the ground and tearing her dress. Her head jerked back, and horns grew from her head, so fast, they hit her back, popping her head forward again. She dropped to the ground hard, forced to her knees by the power of the Vordalyn Queen’s sudden arrival. In her presence, the true nature of any creature would reveal itself, one of the majestic powers bestowed upon Venalina.
“Mistress… what are you-”
“Talila, it’s time you came home, to Taranath. You agreed, when I called again, you would answer. I am calling. You are with child and home is where you should be. Among your sisters.” Venalina said, her black wings were spread out from wall to wall, her horns were banded by gold and adorned with gems, at the thick parts of their bases. Her pale white skin glowed. Talila was speechless. “Alyndra will take your place here, to attend our husband. You and your child will be cared for at home.”
Talila grabbed her belly and started to panic.
“How did you know?”
“You’re his wife for a reason, Talila, your sisters need to breed with him too. You’ve been selfish, out here, keeping him to yourself.” Venalina said. She dropped to the ground and walked over to Dracon, kneeling beside him, “By the sounds of it, the two of you need a break from each other?”
Her hand hovered over him a moment, then she stood. Dracon’s body floated from the ground, just under Venalina’s open hand. She motioned to the bed and Dracon disappeared, reappearing on the bed, naked. Venalina transformed from Vordalyn to human. Talila slowly stood, watching Venalina walk to the bed.
“My king. My mate.” Venalina whispered to the unconscious Dracon, “All will be well.”
Talila walked over to Venalina, standing side by side with her, both looking at Dracon.
“It is stressful maintaining a lie, Venalina, on both of us. We are at odds so o
ften.” She looked up at Venalina, “How is it I was forced to transform?”
“You can transform back now, if you like? True nature is made apparent before me.”
“Please don’t take me yet, my mistress. I have to…”
“Talila!” Venalina turned to face her, “You will not have this child in the wilds of the world! You will come home, now! For your own protection!” Her voice changed to a hollow growl that pierced Talila’s mind and ear alike.
“Please!” Talila fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Venalina’s legs, “I will come home, not now, not like this! I can’t just disappear in the night!” she wept, almost wailing.
Venalina put her hand on Talila’s head then combed her hair with her fingers. Venalina couldn’t bear to hear her cry.
“Alyndra will stand at his side in your place. You will come home. I will give you two more days-”
“A week!” Talila rushed to say, looking up at Venalina, “A week, please, Venalina, a week? And I promise to come home without resistance.”
Venalina smiled, looking down at her, she couldn’t say no to Talila.
“It’s not fair Talila, they need time with him too.” Venalina sighed and thought about it, “Get up, lets feed, together.” Venalina and Talila vanished, reappearing on either side of Dracon, both naked, both human again. Venalina reached across Dracon and put the back of her hand to Talila’s cheek, “You have been using your magic sparingly?”
“Yes. I told him I can’t take him back to Ganlin, I can’t be all powerful, save for that one thing? I had to make him think I am not as powerful as I am. How will I explain my leaving and Alyndra’s appearance? I don’t wish to make him angry with me?” Talila asked, she put her hand to Venalina’s cheek, caressing her gently.
“I love you, Talila, you are missing a lot out here, your sisters are learning so much, I can’t let you miss out anymore, and I certainly will not let you have the first natural born Vordalyn in a thousand years, here?” Venalina explained looking around the suite, “Don’t trouble yourself with the details, I’m sure you’ll think of something. He loves you; he’ll believe whatever you tell him. Did you tell him about the child?”
“No! I swear it!” Talila sat up leaning over Dracon, Venalina met her halfway and kissed her, “Why can’t I tell him?” Talila whispered.
“I don’t want him to know yet. Our child was conceived before you turned, Talila, we don’t know what that means for her.” She touched Talila’s bare stomach, “That it still grows within you, is a miracle. I want to watch over you, my fiery little chameleon, and our child to come. Tonight, love me, Talila, feed with me, share him with me, one more time before we return to Taranath. All will be well, my sweet.”
“How are you so certain it’s a girl? Can you tell already?” Talila asked.
“No, but we are all women, born of women.” Venalina smiled.
Grik entered the room as soon as the attendant opened the door. Satana stopped in the doorway inspecting the room thoroughly before daring to enter, still sporting an angry scowl.
“Is there something wrong, miss?” the attendant asked.
Satana looked down at the scrawny young man.
“No.”
Grik stood by the only bed in the room, feeling the material of the blankets between his fingers. Satana walked into the room cautiously, glancing around as though expecting an ambush.
“That’ll be all.” She said without looking back at the young man. He left, shutting the door. “I suppose you want the bed?”
Grik laughed.
“I’d never get any sleep in that thing, soft is not good for my back. I need firm, like the earth” He answered in dwarven.
Satana wandered over to the bed, still examining the room. There was a vanity table across from the bed with a chair. Satana glared at herself in the mirror, surprised by her own reflection. She was filthy. It made her instantly start wiping her face with her hand.
“Leave it girl, it brings out your eyes,” Grik chuckled, “You shouldn’t look at that thing girlie, you’re fine just the way you are. That’s for them fancy’s like your Lady Talila, not for the likes of us.”
“I could have been a lady.” Satana said defensively.
“No,” Grik said taking off his ax belt and setting it down on an ottoman, “You are who…” He struggled to find the words in common tongue, continuing instead in dwarven, “You were always meant to be what you are right now. Anything else would have been a waste of the most skilled warrior I’ve ever crossed blades with.”
Satana took off her sword belt and laid it on the bed, smiling at his compliment and trying desperately not to let him see it. The bed was soft and rich, with fabric so clean, it made her feel like she was covered in mud. She was reluctant to climb in and make it dirty.
“I’ll take the first watch.” Grik announced then took a seat in the chair that belonged to the ottoman.
“What’s the point? I’m not gonna be able to sleep, not here, not like this.” Satana motioned to the bed.
“Here,” Grik produced a flask then tossed it to Satana, “Take a few pulls off that, you’ll sleep like a baby.”
“Is this going to make me forget we aren’t in a camp?” Satana popped the cork and smelled it, crinkling her nose.
“No, girlie girl, but it’ll make ya not mind it so much.” Grik answered.
She took a mouthful, gulping it down like medicine, then another. Instantly, she could feel warmth, spreading through her body. Her head felt tingly, relaxed. Her cares and worries disappeared. She started to lay back on the bed. The flask slipped from her numb fingers. She forgot she was even holding it; the affects took hold so quickly. She heard Grik chuckle. Her eyelids became heavy, and hard to keep open. She felt incredibly relaxed, every pain and ache in her body disappeared.
“I could have beaten him, you know?” She whispered.
Grik walked over and picked up his flask then lifted Satana’s legs, one at a time, removing her boots, and putting her all the way in the bed, then he rolled the blankets over her.
“Who’s that, girl?” Grik asked.
“Her pet, that Um’Vec.” She said with a listless, sleepy voice, struggling to maintain consciousness. She felt so good, she wanted to stay awake and enjoy the feeling as long as she could.
“He’s a big one girl, big as I’ve ever seen. Don’t think I could say the same, not alone anyhows.” Grik said settling back into the chair and putting his feet up. He took a pull off his flask and relaxed.
“I killed that one in the outer… region.” She struggled to finish her words.
“Ya did, but sure ta remember before you tangle with that Um’Vec, ya had help, girlie girl, and it was my man, Notter, that fell that big one, not you.” Grik pointed out.
“I… I could take him…” Satana’s breathing became long and deep as she fell asleep. She snorted, waking up briefly, her eyes popped open, then slowly started to close again, “Make sure he got to his room.” She whispered.
“Who’s that then?” Grik asked unsure what she said.
“Um’Vec. Make sure… no… eat man.” Satana was out cold as soon as her whispered words, left her lips.
“Goodnight girl.” Grik laughed.
Chapter Three
One hundred men atop horses, appeared from the south, approaching Urixis, the capital of Ganlin, from the outer region. What was once a no man’s land and certain death to any who ventured there, had become a lush grassy plain for as far as the eye could see. The soldiers were clad in the shiniest of armor, polished so well, each resembled a warrior made of mirrors. Every fourth man in the outer columns carried a gold and blue banner. Ahead of the cavalry, a man in shiny golden armor with a golden cloak, led the army to the heart of Ganlin.
The desolate outer region was no more. Travel was possible and they were not the first to venture to Ganlin. Trade routes were opened between Ganlin and all of Sumia. People from as far north as Cold lake adventured to Ganlin for trade.
Tales spread far and wide about Dracon’s banishment and his inevitable turn to evil by the kiss of the kina. Those from Sumia who did not know Dracon, believed what they were told when the kina was mentioned. No one understood what a Vordalyn was, or the differences between them and the Kina.
The army marched to the very center of Ganlin met by thousands of elven warriors on either side of the road. It was not the full strength of Ganlin’s army, but enough to be a deterrent to the visitors arriving on the doorstep of Urixis. Prince Renic, Prince Torak, Prince Charnio, and Prince Darrin waited on the road for the approaching army.
“Prettiest pack of merchants I’ve ever seen.” Prince Charnio commented.
“I don’t know about that, but they sure are shiny.” Prince Torak chuckled.
The approaching army stopped a few hundred feet from the princes leaving only the golden armored warrior and two others to ride out and meet the princes. One of them was in shiny armor like the rest of the soldiers, but the other was dressed as a civilian, wearing no armor whatsoever. He wore a pale green outfit with a dark green cloak and hat to match.
“We are the representatives of King Harold the Bold, here to assess recovery of our former lands. Which of you speaks for your people?” The man in green asked. The princes glanced at one another, confused by his opening statement. They were quiet for a few moments. The man in green looked at each of them, then spoke slowly and very loudly, “I say, I am here,” he said almost yelling, “representing, King Harold.” He held his fingers up to his head trying to imitate a crown. “Do you understand?” He looked at the golden warrior, “Foreigners are always so taxing, they probably speak in grunts and growls.
Dracon and the Edge of the World Page 6
