“Alright, here’s what I need from you two,” Megildur laid out his plan for Zeristan and Gaal. “I am going to need both of you invisible. Gaal, I want you to infiltrate the safehold and once I call for you, take their leader prisoner. Zeristan, I need you to help fight off any attackers outside the safehold. Also, I will need a lightshow in the sky from you. Sound good?” The two agreed and vanished from sight.
Megildur waited several minutes and then began walking toward the front gates. Once he was within shouting range of the safehold, he stopped. Archers lined the walls near the main gate and a voice from atop of the wall bellowed, “Stop there, heretic! What brings you before the Temple of the Cleansing Flame?”
Megildur roared, “That’s a matter I wish to discuss with your leader.”
The voice shouted back, “He does not concern himself with blasphemous peasants, now depart before I have you slain where you stand!”
Megildur grew tired of this debate and decided to escalate it by commanding, “You bring him before me, or I will devastate this safehold and leave no one standing!”
They must not have taken kindly to this threat. The archers released several arrows at the Aelfborn. Before they could reach their intended target, Zeristan appeared in midair and disintegrated the arrows, leaving dust particles to fall from the sky. The Wizard then released several energy bolts at the archers along the wall, knocking each of them off the structure and onto the ground. Once again, the Wizard vanished from sight. Several moments of silence went by before someone appeared at the nearby corner wall to address Megildur.
With an arrogant tone the voice demanded, “Why do you bother me, you irreverent whelp?”
Megildur returned the arrogant question with one of his own, “Are you the leader of the Temple of the Cleansing Flame?”
The voice retorted, “Yes, I am their ruler! Now what do you want before I release my army to decimate you and that annoying Wizard?”
Megildur commanded, “I am Lord Megildur, future High King over the Kingdoms of Men, and I demand the release of Zabrina and her mother!”
“You want who released?” The ruler inquired, sounding thoroughly confused. “And who did you say you are?” One of the guards stepped up to his master and whispered something in his ear. “What, you risked your life coming before me for a slave? What will you offer for the slave’s release?”
Megildur bellowed, “I will allow your insolent head to remain where it is and I will let your buildings stand!”
The ruler laughed, “One boy and a single Wizard against the strength of my army?”
The Aelfborn Lord snickered, “Who said I only brought one other person with me?” He looked into the air in the Wizard’s direction, “Now Zeristan!”
The Wizard materialized and released a lightshow high into the sky above his head. This puzzled the ruler of the Gray Sands safehold, who just stared at Megildur in disbelief. Within moments of the lightshow, the ground began to rumble, growing in intensity. One of the guards near the ruler shouted and pointed to the horizon. Countless numbers were now within visual range, coming over the sand dunes. The line of soldiers kept going on and on. The safehold was besieged. Megildur’s “friends”, the Centaur Cohort and the Church of the All-Father, comprised the encompassing army.
The overwhelmed leader threatened, “I could just order her removal from our Tree of Life and have her executed! She would respawn to an unknown location somewhere in Aerynth and you will never find her!”
“If so, your fate will be hers!” Megildur countered. “Gaal, now!”
Upon hearing his friend’s command, the Thief materialized behind the Gray Sand’s ruler with a dagger to his throat. The ruler’s eyes widened at both the thought of the pain from the blade and the sight of the surrounding armies closing in. Even though he would just return inside his own safehold, he knew the Thief would keep playing this game of cat and mouse. Also, he detested the thought of his guild losing to a half-breed.
The leader commanded, “Release the wench and the old hag!”
Moments later, the gates opened. Zabrina stood behind them with her mother and both appeared tattered and bruised. She dashed from the safehold, which did not surprise anyone considering her mistreated condition. Megildur ran to her and the two shared a deep embrace in the middle of the blistering desert.
Zabrina murmured, “M-megildur, I prayed I would see you again one day!” She pulled back from the Aelfborn and looked down at the ground, feeling embarrassed by her outward appearance. She attempted to hide her bruises with her frayed clothing.
Megildur whispered, “You look as beautiful as the first time I saw you, my Desert Flower.” He lifted her chin and kissed her weathered lips. They found comfort in each other’s arms. He stroked her hair and motioned for a healer to attend to Zabrina’s mother. Concerned for their condition, Megildur asked. “Now, what happened to you after I left? Why are you bruised and beaten?”
“They blamed me for your escape,” Zabrina replied. “They tortured us to ensure my obedience.”
Megildur’s blood began to boil at the thought of the woman he loved tortured because of his escape. “Who hurt you?” Zabrina pointed at a guard just inside the gates. Megildur signaled for Bowen to come forward. The Centaur Master Archer approached the Aelfborn Lord. Megildur pointed and Bowen released a single arrow with such power that it threw Zabrina’s tormentor several yards back.
The Temple of the Cleansing Flame ruler looked down at his fallen soldier and glared at Megildur, “You will pay for that!”
“Not today,” Megildur replied. “Gaal, let’s go!” The Shade waved his hands and disappeared. Megildur turned to ask Zeristan a question, who was nearby at the time. “Can you provide some assistance as our forces withdraw? I prefer to avoid a fight.”
“A wise decision, Lord Megildur,” Zeristan smirked. He rose into the air and released a stun effect into the safehold, rendering the inhabitants unconscious.
Maethorion and Atreus motioned for their armies to pullback. They began recalling all back to their safeholds. The armies disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. The sand dunes looked desolate now that the armies had dissipated. Only Megildur, Zeristan, Gaal, and Zabrina remained.
Megildur tended to Zabrina. The young desert flower had a concerned look on her face. “What’s wrong?” Megildur asked.
Zabrina murmured, “I did not expect you to order that man’s death.”
“Do not worry. He will respawn soon,” Megildur replied, placing his arm around Zabrina and walking away from the safehold. “But maybe this time he will be a bit more respectful to beautiful damsels.” Zabrina smiled at Megildur.
Before Megildur and his close friends were out of sight, the safehold citizens started to wake. The ruler looked out from the walls of his city and spotted Megildur off in the distance. Seeing no army to protect Megildur, the Temple of the Cleansing Flame ruler sought revenge.
The ruler bellowed, “Templars and Confessors destroy the heretics!”
Megildur heard a shout in the distance and turned back toward Gray Sands. He saw several Half Giant Templars and Human Confessors charge out of the gates of the safehold, bearing in their direction. Knowing his remaining armies already withdrew; Megildur unsheathed Shadowbane and looked at his few remaining friends, “Looks like they still have some fight left in them.” He turned to Zabrina, “Run ahead and stay with the others so we can engage in battle with this group.”
“I want to stay with you,” Zabrina replied.
Megildur pleaded, “But if you die, you will return back inside Gray Sands. I could not stand the thought of them hurting you anymore.”
The two lovers debated as the Templars and Confessors continued their charge. Without warning, the sky grew dark and the clouds gathered. A terrible rolling thunder resounded, followed by ominous lightning bolts striking the advancing Templars and Confessors. A chain lightning followed their trail back to Gray Sands and devastated the safehold. When the sand and dust settl
ed, Megildur and his group could see the Temple of the Cleansing Flame army, along with the rest of Gray Sands, lying motionless.
Megildur exclaimed, “By the All-Father!”
“Nobody but Him would have that much power, or wrath,” Zeristan replied. “I think that’s our cue to depart.”
Megildur and the others agreed and departed, before He unleashed more of His wrath.
CHAPTER 38: Royal Preparations
Zeristan stepped onto the platform and waved his hands. The portal for the closest runegate to Mellissar opened. Megildur and his confidants arrived at the runegate. Zeristan announced, “Lord Megildur, your portal awaits.” He was bowing in the Aelfborn’s direction.
Megildur turned to Zabrina and motioned for her to move onto the platform first. She stepped into the portal and vanished within. The flashing colors and moving patterns frightened her. She felt defenseless in an unfamiliar environment. Her first instinct was to scream out, but she found her voice without volume. Megildur followed right behind her and found Zabrina stumbling on the next platform. He rushed to her side.
“Are you alright?” Megildur asked with concern.
“I have never done that before,” Zabrina replied. “What was that image of flashing lights I saw?”
“That happens whenever you teleport somewhere,” Megildur responded, helping her off the platform, to avoid any collisions with others coming through. “Just be happy you did not end up in the mist with everyone talking all at once.” Zabrina looked at him with a puzzled expression. “It’s a long story, one that I look forward to telling you later.” For the time being, that answer appeased Zabrina’s curiosity.
Zeristan delegated the task of keeping the portal open in the desert to another mage from Greensward Parish, so that he could guide Megildur and Zabrina to Mellissar. Once he stepped off the platform, the Wizard approached both of them. Zeristan resounded, “M’Lord, M’Lady; this way to Mellissar.” He motioned with his hand and began walking beside the couple. “I also need to prepare both of you before we arrive in the capital.”
Megildur inquired, “Prepare for what exactly?”
“Well, the Kingdoms of Men have not had a High King for over a hundred years,” Zeristan educated the new royalty in the ways of Aerynth, walking toward Mellissar. “Most of the fragmented world is now lawless, as both of you have witnessed firsthand. Many will want to keep it that way. Now do not be too concerned, we have one less major obstacle. Due to some ‘divine intervention’, many in the capital support your claim for the High Throne.” Zeristan was recalling the shocking scene whereas lightning struck down Queen Bronwyn on the steps of Mellissar Castle.
Megildur asked, “Divine intervention? You mean like what happened back in the desert?”
Zeristan chuckled, “Yes.” He walked in between the two and put an arm around each of them. “Now, the High Steward requires a week or so to notify everyone and set the date for the coronation. You can take that time to get a little more, acquainted.” Both Megildur and Zabrina blushed at the old Wizard’s remark but then Megildur thought of something.
Megildur requested, “Zabrina, can you walk with Gaal for a moment? I need to speak with Zeristan on an urgent matter.” Zabrina agreed and turned to face the Shade Thief.
Gaal jested, “Come to hang out with a real hero?” Zabrina chuckled at his comment and walked alongside the pale one.
Megildur pulled Zeristan aside to talk, “I have an imperative request of you.” The Aelfborn took the old man away from the others but Zabrina could see him making gestures with his hands. At first, the flustered look on Megildur’s face worried her, but Zeristan’s confident reaction reassured her. Next, the Aelfborn called Maethorion over to make a request of the Elven guild leader. The Elf agreed and departed to complete Megildur’s request.
Zeristan and Megildur rejoined Zabrina and the Wizard finished explaining all the work done to the capital for Lord Megildur’s arrival. This was the first time that Megildur, Zabrina, or Gaal had ever seen the capital for the Kingdoms of Men. The work done to the capital was evident, now that they rebuilt the walls and freed the structures of undergrowth. The castle towered over the fortifications and shone brighter than ever. Megildur and Zabrina were the first to pass through the gates. The High Steward, Sir Adelard, greeted them.
Sir Adelard bowed and announced, “Lord Megildur, welcome to Mellissar. I am your High Steward, Sir Adelard. I served the last High King and I offer my services once more, if you so desire.”
“Thank you, Sir Adelard,” Megildur replied. “I look forward to your assistance during this process.” Megildur looked past the High Steward and noticed his father and sister approaching from the castle entrance.
Aranel screamed, running to her brother, “Megildur, your back!” She jumped into his arms and hugged Megildur. She hopped down and looked at her brother’s sheath. “Shadowbane! Can I see it?”
Megildur unsheathed the weapon and placed it into her hands. “Careful.” He looked up at his father, who grabbed his son and hugged him before the Aelfborn could say anything.
Aedan rejoiced, “I am glad to see you safe and alive.” He pulled back and wiped his eyes before the tears flowed, “I am proud of you.” Realizing they were not alone, he looked past Megildur and saw someone new. “Who is this radiant beauty?”
Megildur responded, “Father, I would like you to meet Zabrina. I met her in the desert, after they captured me. She and her mother helped me escape.” He looked at Zabrina, “This is my father, Aedan.”
“Pleased to meet you, Zabrina,” Aedan said, greeting the Human female. He turned to Megildur. “Your mother is not back yet, but I received word that they are well and sailing back as we speak. Let’s get you settled inside.”
“Rest and enjoy your newfound excitations,” Zeristan added. “I have another task I must attend to. Please excuse me.” He winked at Megildur and waved his hands, teleporting to the nearest runegate.
Sir Adelard showed both Megildur and Zabrina to their rooms, but not before showing off the castle. The rooms were enormous and lavishly decorated. The grand hall alone could fit all the residents from Megildur’s home village. Being a gentleman, the aging knight showed Zabrina her room first, Megildur stood in the hallway. Before they left her to explore her own room, Megildur took her by the arm and kissed her hand, promising to return tomorrow morning. This would give her enough time to acclimate to her new surroundings. As for Megildur, he went to his room and collapsed on the bed without even undressing first. He had not slept in an actual bed in a long time, succumbing to sleep was not an issue.
Sometime after falling asleep, someone knocked on the door. The sluggish Aelfborn pulled himself out of the soft cozy bed to see who disturbed his slumber. Maethorion stood before him.
Maethorion proclaimed, “Lord Megildur, I have the person you requested in the grand hall. I apologize for the delay.”
Megildur mumbled, “Delay? How could you have accomplished this so fast?”
The Aelfborn Lord’s reaction confused Maethorion, “Fast? You asked this of me two days ago.”
Megildur’s eyes widened once he came to the realization that he slept for two days straight. “I will be out in a moment. Thank you for this favor.”
Maethorion bowed and left the doorway, so Megildur could change out of his tattered clothing. It shocked him that he slept so deep. He also left Zabrina for so long, which distressed the Aelfborn to realize this. He found some water to clean himself with and dressed in some clothes that he found next to his bed. He proceeded down to the grand hall to welcome the person he asked Maethorion for, Marie. The handmaiden was so excited to see him she ran up and hugged him. Acknowledging that this was not a proper way to greet a Lord, she stepped back and curtsied.
Marie cheered, “Thank you so much for saving my father. He did not know why the Dwarves released him, but I knew it had to be at your request.”
“You are welcome,” Megildur replied. “I’m just thankful Thurin interven
ed or I may have joined your father in the mines, or worse.” The Aelfborn shuttered at the thought. “Now, I have asked Maethorion for your freedom and he has granted my request.” Marie’s eyes glistened at the thought of being free. “With your newfound freedom I would like to offer you a position in the High King’s court as assistant to someone very special.”
Marie beamed, “You found her? The girl you always thought of during your journey to Aelarnost?”
“Yes,” Megildur blushed. “Her name is Zabrina and she is even more beautiful than I remember.” Megildur realized he was daydreaming and snapped out it, Marie wiped the grin off her face.
She answered, “I accept. It would be an honor, your Majesty.”
Megildur chuckled, “I am not King yet. I still have one more challenge and then I must confront most of Aerynth at the coronation.” He cringed at the thought of facing so many people but knew it was unavoidable.
“So, are you ready to meet her?” Marie nodded in agreement and Megildur led her to Zabrina’s room. On the way, Zeristan met them in the hallway. “Please wait here for me, Marie.” Megildur walked off to the other side of the hall to confer with Zeristan. Marie could see the Wizard hand him an intricate wooden box. Megildur opened the box. A glimmer of light shone from within. It was almost as bright as the shine in Megildur’s eyes at the sight of the contents inside the box. He closed the container and thanked Zeristan for the item. Megildur proceeded with Marie to Zabrina’s room. He knocked on the door and a moment later Zabrina answered.
Zabrina bubbled, “Oh Megildur, I’m glad to see you. Please come in.”
“I have someone else to see you also,” Megildur replied. “Zabrina, this is Marie. She will assist you while you are here.” He gestured for Marie to come inside the room.
Marie entered the room and curtsied to Zabrina, “I am pleased to assist you.”
This offer shocked Zabrina a bit, but she greeted Marie, “Thank you. I’m pleased to meet you as well, but I’m not certain I need anyone.” She turned to Megildur, “Do I need someone?”
Shadowbane: Age of Aelfborn Page 24
