They all looked to the sky with anticipation, which quickly turned to disappointment. Dryden drew his sword and the other knights followed, surrounding Andrielle. "I don't see dragons—I see nothing but open air. This may indeed be Kassina's trickery! Protect the queen!"
Two heavy objects landed on elven soil together, shaking the ground slightly with their graceful entrance. Rumbles were heard around the city and all inhabitants of the city stared in wonder as nothing but fresh giant footprints could be seen in the grass. The knights held their ground around Queen Andrielle, hands gripping their swords tightly.
“What now, my Queen?” asked Dryden.
“Stay your weapons and remain by my side. If these really are dragons, they mean us no harm,” she replied. The knights followed her order and sheathed their swords, a firm grip remaining on their hilts. As the dragons slowly revealed themselves, there was a collective sharp intake of breath when their forms came into view. Both Karven and Nymira were suited from head to claws in their complete magical dragon armour and stood side by side. Their scales provided them with protection against hand-held weaponry, but they were taking no chances travelling into Marithia with Kassina roaming free, as she was likely to empower her armies with weapons powerful enough to dispatch dragons.
Andrielle spoke loudly and clearly. “People of Veldrenn, let us pay our respects to the King and Queen of the Dragons.”
The entire city fell to one knee and bowed their heads as the dragons slowly retracted their giant wings. There was an overwhelming silence; the only sounds were those of the trees as they slowly bent back into their protective positions.
“Welcome, Karven and Nymira. We are humbled by your presence. I hope that you feel at home in our city. I must say, it truly is an honour to have you here with us. After all, dragons were thought to be extinct—thank the gods that it isn't the case. May I ask, is Vartan really with you?”
“Of course I am here, my Queen,” Vartan replied. The dragons moved aside to reveal Vartan standing behind them, clutching a large wooden chest. Princess Helenia wept with joy as she ran to Vartan, who dropped the chest to the ground as they threw their arms around each other in a loving embrace. Andrielle and the knights stared wide-eyed as Helenia placed a soft kiss on Vartan’s lips. Queen Andrielle smiled uneasily as she saw true love in her daughter’s eyes for the first time, but was torn with the parental instinct of protecting her daughter.
Andrielle spoke with a wavering voice. “Vartan, I can’t believe you’re alive. I thought you were…”
“Dead, my queen? I thought the same fate had befallen yourself and Helenia.”
Karven turned his great head to Andrielle, sensing the mixed emotions in her body. “Thank you for the warm welcome. Our kind has not always been treated with such respect, and we are aware of the general Marithian belief of our demise, but as you can see, we are far from extinct. It is also a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, Elven Queen Andrielle. I believe we have the same interests and a common enemy, and so we cannot afford to waste any time.”
“Dragons are always welcome here, Karven. Did you have something urgent you wished to discuss with me? To what do we owe the pleasure of this audience?” asked Andrielle.
“We seek an alliance with the elves, whom we respect as we do our own kind. We know of the vicious attack on Greenhaven by the dark sorceress Kassina, and what the consequences of such a bold move are likely to be. We must join forces if we are to have a chance of turning the tide of this war. We are indeed powerful creatures, but are not enough in number to do this alone.”
Andrielle smiled warmly in disbelief, the colour returning to her face. “Dragons seek the help of the elves? Karven, you bring the answers to our hopes and prayers, as we would like nothing more than an alliance with the great dragons. We offer all that we have, along with the promise that our alliance shall never be broken."
Nymira turned to speak. “Then let it be done and we shall speak the words of the ancients to forge our alliance, as witnessed by the gods.”
Andrielle nodded, slowly making her way to the dragons, who had bowed their heads down to her level. She placed the palms of her hands on Nymira and Karven’s heads and breathed deeply. The dragons spoke in unison, “Speramus amicitiae nostrae memoriam sempiternam fore.”
The city’s inhabitants were thrown back as a burst of green radiating energy erupted between the royals. A shiny ball of luminescence now hovered above them as the people of the city staggered back to their feet. Within the sphere was the glittery outline of a dragon, an elf astride it with a sword drawn high. Before anyone could speak, it launched itself through the trees and up into the sky at lightning speed. Karven took a deep breath and raised his head. “Elves of the city, you should know that your trust is well-placed in our alliance. To prepare ourselves for war, we will require a large quantity of the best weapons and armour. I present to you a token gift of our newfound alliance which should buy us all the goods we need."
Nymira craned her neck down and gently nudged open the box with her nose to reveal thousands of diamonds and gemstones that sparkled within. She pushed the heavy chest forward toward the elven queen.
Andrielle smiled as she was filled with new hope. “People of our great city, tonight we dine and celebrate the start of a new era—the age of elves and dragons united and working together as one!”
The people of the city cheered and the roar of their applause was almost drowned out by the dragons blowing jets of fire into the air.
Vampire Assassin - by Guido Leber
Chapter 7: Cat and Mouse
“War is a bitter tonic that is hard to swallow. Death and horror will plague my nightmares until the end of my days. Will I ever return to my life as a princess? Am I doomed to struggle for the rest of my days?
Vartan, my love, he lives! We were torn apart by this war, and I can only hope that he doesn’t perish and leave me broken-hearted and alone in Marithia.”
(Princess Helenia of Veldrenn)
The fire crackled loudly as it sent embers flying into the air. The Jade Inn’s fireplace warmed and lit the chilled faces of those who sheltered within. As a contrast to its usually lively atmosphere, this evening the inn was eerily silent.
Tusdar stared through the foggy window and caught a wolf as it howled deep into the dark night, its furry form atop a mountain shadowed by the bright light of the moon. He brought a cold cup of ale to his lips and drank deeply. He wiped away the froth and broke the silence. “Enough, people - that’s enough! Yes, we are in dark times, but let us celebrate and defy the tyrants that silence us."
A man in the crowd shrugged. “Celebrate?” he sneered. “What do we have to celebrate, Tusdar? Greenhaven is lost to us, and if our greatest city could fall... What hope do any of us have? It’s only a matter of time before they come for the rest of us. Everyone I know is dead at the hands of that witch Kassina, and you expect me to celebrate?”
Hildar put down a bottle at the bar with a piercing thud, interrupting them both. His smile was infectious and his eyes glinted as if still hopeful. “Indeed, Tusdar, we should celebrate! By the grace of the gods, we still have our lives, and that alone is worthy of a celebration, isn't it?"
A strikingly beautiful woman with long black hair covering most of her face, wearing ornate silky clothing, sat close to the fire, a violin poking out of her bag. Her chest heaved as she sighed, facing the fire, “Perhaps we are all missing the point. Your words are truer than an arrow piercing the heart. Thank you for giving us hope, in a time when all seems lost.”
Hildar poured a half glass of ale and slid it roughly across the floor to come to a shaky stop by her legs. “Sweet songstress, here's a drink on the house. Others may not recognise you, but I would know that famed voice anywhere. Lynn, would you be as kind as to sing for us and raise our spirits?"
Lynn turned her head and smiled warmly. She nodded in agreement and took out her instrument. Taking a deep breath through her full, red lips, she blew the dust off
her violin. Everyone’s eyes fell on her in anticipation as she laid her bow into position. As she played the first sweet, soft note, they closed their eyes and thought of happier times.
She parted her lips and began to sing “The Legend of Talonsphere”:
“In blood of scales and days of kings, came a boy to save us all.
Let us sing in merriment, our voices large and small.
For all we fear in the shadows, will be destroyed with the light.
Talonsphere rises from the ground, and brings fire to the night.”
Suddenly the inn’s door creaked opened slowly and two tall figures stepped through it. Everyone’s hair stood on end and a chill tickled their spines as they recognised the dark presences that had entered the room. The songstress gasped and lowered her violin as her song was interrupted, and all turned to see Kassina and Derian, arms crossed, standing in front of the now-closed door. Derian wore his royal robes and his father's crown. Kassina stood tall, with her hair draped over the leather shoulders of her corset and covering the right half of her face. Daggers were bound across her ribs and her tight pants disappeared into a pair of leather boots laced to her knees. The hilts of a pair of swords peeked out from behind her shoulders.
Tusdar reached behind his seat slowly and grasped Vartan’s bow, which was still resting against his chair. Sweat formed on his brow and his heart pounded in his chest.
“Songstress,” sneered Kassina, “you don’t have to stop on our account. Please, continue on with your tale of this legend.”
She took a seat with Derian near the fireplace, crossing her legs and dangling her boot playfully. As everyone remained silent, her smile morphed to a scowl. She twisted her wrist and sent a bolt of lightning into one of the men closest to her. He screamed out in agony as his body went into convulsions.
“I said, finish the song!” Kassina snapped. “Certainly you are not deaf as well as stupid, or I should be surprised that you could play such an instrument.”
Hildar's eyes narrowed defiantly. “That’s enough!” he growled. “Tell us what you want from us, witch."
Kassina viciously kicked back her chair as she rose in anger, snarling at the inn’s patrons. “How dare you! Is this how you greet your new king and queen? We should kill everyone, here and now, solely due to your insolence. Come to think of it, all of this is starting to make me feel hungry.” She turned her head to Tusdar’s table, watching him from the corner of her eye. “And please, get your hands off Vartan’s bow. I would recognise that weapon anywhere, and I can see exactly what you are doing. You, of all people, couldn’t handle such a weapon. I am sure you are not in the mood for much bloodshed tonight. Would I be right?”
Tusdar said nothing.
She arched an eyebrow. “Although it does bring to mind the obvious question, what on Marithia are you doing with his bow in the first place?” she asked, scanning the inn with her piercing eyes. “Is he here somewhere? Hiding upstairs, like the cowardly little boy that he is? Or shivering in some dark corner at my presence?”
Tusdar's voice strained and his lip quivered as he answered. “No, great sorceress… I mean… my Queen. His horse found its way home to the inn and I took the bow from his pack. You will not find him anywhere here, so you best look elsewhere if you want to find him. I speak the truth and would not defy you."
Kassina smiled, revealing small glints of fang. “Thank you for your amazing report. But you think you speak the truth? I’ll be the judge of what the truth is. Although it is a pleasure that finally there is someone here who can show his new queen the respect she deserves. As for the rest of you, I will spare all of your lives if you tell me where to find that slippery rat Aidan. Derian tells me that Aidan was the only royal guard to escape Greenhaven alive. His blood left a trail in this direction, so don't bother lying to me."
One of the men in the room spoke up. “My Queen, I was here a few days ago when Aidan was brought into the inn in Vartan's arms. He was taken upstairs by a healer, but that is all I know.”
Kassina turned to Derian and giggled. “Would you look at that, my sweet? We have some potential in these humans other than to whet my appetite. Consider your life spared, young man. Derian, let us pay a hospitable visit to the rooms upstairs, shall we?”
Hildar sent an icy-cold stare toward the informant as he interrupted them. “Why don’t you have some drinks and join us, so we can welcome you properly as our new king and queen? After all, this would be cause for a celebration and it would be an honour to serve you. There is nobody up there but a few of our paying guests. That man is confused, and I have never seen him here before today. My inn does not hold any injured men."
Trisa wet another soft rag with cool water and laid it gently on Aidan’s forehead. "You have already begun to heal and are well on the road to recovery."
The room was warmed by the small fireplace near the bed, and Aidan couldn’t help but feel very comfortable in her care. When he spoke, his voice was weak. “I don’t know how I will ever thank you, Trisa… you saved my life."
“It is not me you should be grateful to. I am just doing my work. Thank the young knight who left a pile of shiny king's gold to save you. I believe his name was Vartan."
Aidan smiled as he began to recall snippets of the events that had taken place. “Of course, I remember now. It was Sir Vartan. One kind deed deserves another, and I will never forget him. I owe Vartan a lot more than I ever did for him in Greenhaven. How long have I been here?”
“Many days have passed before your eyes opened, but your will is strong and so are my potions. Thanks to your friend's gold, I was able to make the rare ones needed to keep your body alive while I used enchanted scrolls to speed up the healing process."
All of a sudden loud, heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs. Aidan shot up in bed and then winced, hunching over at the pain from his healing ribs.
He desperately searched for a weapon near his bed and he asked through quickened breath, “Who is that?”
Kassina and Derian ascended the inn’s stairs to discover three locked doors with low light escaping the cracks in the door. They stood at the entrance to the corridor, their silhouettes flickering shadows in the firelight from the inn's fireplace.
Kassina's laugh echoed down the corridor. “Derian, do you feel lucky tonight? Maybe we should get a room and start really enjoying our time together. What do you say?”
With a grin on his face, Derian marched his way to the first door and kicked it with all his might. He sent the door flying across the room, narrowly missing a frightened couple making love in the bed.
“Oh dear, it appears we interrupted something that we want to be doing. Don't let us stop you - please continue on with our blessing!” laughed Derian as they approached the second door.
Kassina shook her head and sighed. “Derian, do be more subtle. What good is anyone to us if you’re just going to splatter them like the bugs they are? Allow me." She lifted her index finger, which bore a ring in the form of a coiled snake, to the lock, and she whispered a spell. The lock hummed and clicked open. She eased the door open slowly as it let out a groaning sound. The room was empty, save the inn’s dusty furniture.
Derian pouted. “Does nobody ever clean this place? Disgusting! Well, that leaves only one room."
Kassina turned her head and stared disdainfully at Derian. “Well, I would have never known that. How amazingly perceptive of you. Did they teach you to count in that big city as well?”
Trisa turned her attention to the door as footsteps came closer and the shadow of legs could be seen. “Who is it?” she asked, sliding a shiny dagger out from her boot.
Derian knocked playfully on the last door of the inn. “Hello, little mouse? Why don’t you just open the door for us and save us the trouble of opening it for you?”
They waited a few tense moments without a reply. Derian shrugged. "Then you best get out of the way!" he yelled. He growled as he booted the door open with his full strength.
Trisa spun around at the sound of the door being smashed open and crashing into her cottage walls, to see a tall man stumbling in and trying to keep his balance, his arms piled high with wood.
Trisa put away her dagger. “Jamik!” she yelled. “How on Marithia can you be so clumsy? The doors have handles, you know!”
Jamik replied sheepishly. “I’m sorry, madam. I lost my balance, as my arms are full of the firewood, you know? I tripped into the door.”
“By the gods, Jamik, you managed to scare us half to death!” said Trisa with a warm smile. “Thank the stars we moved out of that horribly small inn and came home. Remember that part of the healing process is to not kill people with fright, even if it does generate business.”
Jamik placed the wood down carefully and nodded as he closed the door behind him. Aidan eased himself back into his bed and rested his eyes once again. "I thought it was that wench, Kassina."
“Never fear, Aidan. I may not be a dark sorceress, but I have some tricks of my own. She would have great difficulty finding us here. In fact, nobody should be able to find us here. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for when you leave." Trisa walked to the corner of her room, heaved open one of the drawers of a dark, wooden desk and reached inside to retrieve an impressive pearly orb that emitted a slight humming sound. She sat at the end of his bed, her heavy robe draping over the blanket. “Now, I have something for you to try. If your heart truly desires an answer, you will see it in this orb. Some would believe that knowing answers can alter the path of their lives or bring them closure. Some would rather leave some questions unanswered. I will not force you to take it, but the choice is yours."
She held the orb out in the palm of her hand, and Aidan couldn’t help but look into it. The orb began to change colour to a light purple and hummed louder.
She smiled at him reassuringly. “Ah yes - it appears that your heart truly does seek an answer. Hold it tightly in your hands and ask of it whatever you wish.”
Legends of Marithia: Book 1 - Prophecies Awakening: Uncut and Extended Second Edition Page 8
