by C D Muller
Thor walked up from behind her and nudged his nose against her shoulder.
I’m sorry. I’m here for you.
Selena looked up at Thor and wiped a tear from her eye.
Thank you.
I understand how terrible you must feel but I trust in Silver’s judgment. I don’t think it’ll be easy to kill him, not after what he’s already done.
I don’t want to make the same mistakes that I did before. I left Helshire Village and everyone was killed because of my actions. And now Silver…
I know we have talked about this but I also know that you keep holding in your pain. It’s going to destroy you if you don’t learn to forgive yourself.
I don’t know how. Having you with me does bring me comfort, but I feel terrible about everything.
You can’t blame yourself for what the Lich is doing.
No, but I can try to find a way to stop him. I will make it up to the Empire, no, to the world.
Rahim held the map out in front of him, keeping them on the trail that was supposed to take them directly to the front gates of Alfheim. Quietly, he pointed to where they were supposed to go. However, Selena stopped walking when she saw a figure appear in front of them. Thor immediately growled and prepared to attack. Rahim abruptly took a step back. The figure walked in their direction. Selena squinted her eyes to get a better look. Its features became more distinct and Selena recognized it as a fox.
The fox wore a long, slick red coat. Selena and Rahim both stared with wonder. Meeting Loki and learning that some animals were able to speak was different, compared to seeing one that could walk on two legs like a human. She held a staff that was a little shorter than she was. At the top of the staff was a ruby held by a wooden claw.
When the fox approached them, it turned out to be a woman wearing a fox mask. Selena let out a sigh and so did Rahim. She lifted it from her face and smiled.
“Salutations. May I ask what brings you three to Alfheim?” she asked.
Rahim elbowed Selena and made a gesture to answer her.
“Oh, ummm… We’re reporting for duty,” Selena stumbled as she searched through her robes to find the forged documents to show them to the stranger.
“Ah, I see. You were already assigned a dragon then, Mr.?...”
“Liongod, Andric Liongod at your service. And I rescued Thor about a month ago before I received my orders for the draft. We both agreed that it would be fitting if he joined with me as my partner as well,” Selena said in her practiced voice and gave the stranger a polite gesture that Silver taught her as a greeting.
“It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Andric Liongod. I am Neith Anahita, the Empress’s adviser. And you are?” she asked Rahim.
“I’m Rahim Branwen, but I’m not joining the Air Force. My home was destroyed by the Order and I was hoping to seek refuge here,” Rahim whispered.
“I offer my sincere apologies and of course, Alfheim is always open to those who need help,” Neith responded with a smile.
“We are grateful for your hospitality,” Selena said again.
“May I escort the three of you to Alfheim? It’s not that far a walk from here,” Neith offered.
“That sounds great, we appreciate it,” Selena said again and the three of them followed Neith.
Selena let out a long sigh in relief that Neith did not question her story at all. Selena noticed that her ears were pointed and believed that she was an elf. From reading about the Empire’s history, she had learned that the elves originally built Alfheim many years ago, after they were enslaved by the humans and dwarves for about five hundred years until they rebelled and fought for their independence. When they were still slaves, both the humans and dwarves built mines and camps where they were sent to work.
Neith’s features were slender and thin compared to those of a human. She had two earrings pierced in each of her ears and wore her thick red hair in a long braid with jewelry hanging from it. Around Neith’s neck was a necklace with a crystal pendant by the side of another necklace with what appeared to be a dragon’s tooth. She stuffed the fox mask away in her robes. She wore black and red robes made of pure unicorn hair.
“I hope that you’ll find Alfheim your home,” Neith said in a comforting tone.
I can’t wait to see what the city is like.
Neither can I, Selena whispered, placing her hand on the side of his face. She looked around and saw a cavern-like structure that was built into the ground with a giant metal door that looked as though it was an entrance that led into the giant hills. It was old and rusty, but it was sealed up tight.
What is that?
Thor looked to where she was pointing to and shook his head.
I don’t know. Whatever it is, it’s unnatural.
Selena watched it disappear into the trees as they continued towards Alfheim.
Neith looked over and saw them looking at the ruin.
“I wouldn’t wander through there,” she said, “it’s dangerous in this forest. It’s one of the many abandoned dwarven ruins and mines that are scattered across the Empire. Not very many of them are operable anymore.”
As they walked farther away from the Raging River, the trees began to clear their path. They reached a large, stone, white wall that went on forever in both directions. Two lion marble statues sat on their hind legs in front of the giant gateway. Each held a ruby stone in its mouth. A long sword sat above the giant opening over a metal shield with two dragons on both sides, their tails twisting together around the blade. Two guards stood on top of the wall and ordered the metal gates to be opened to welcome them into the city. The metal chains creaked as they lifted the gate off the ground to allow them to pass.
“Welcome to Alfheim,” Neith said.
They were greeted by hundreds of citizens walking through the streets. In the middle of the city stood a giant metropolis castle on a mount stretched high towards the sky surrounded by a circular stone wall guarding its perimeter. Branching forth were more giant stone dividers that separated the city into the different districts that Selena heard about from Myrrdin prior. Winding stone steps circled around the base of the massive citadel, some leading to its immense towers.
The cobblestone road began as they entered, leading to various cottages and buildings that appeared to be made of marble. The majority of the residents Selena saw had the same slender features that Neith had, and she knew that they were also elves. They were about the same height as humans, but their movements were graceful. Occasionally, Selena walked by a dwarf dressed in blacksmith gear.
Rahim leaned in and whispered, “I’m actually surprised to see any other race here. Humans, maybe, but I never thought dwarves too.”
Selena looked at him and nodded, feeling better that Rahim was a bit more talkative.
A couple of red dragons were flying through the air around the castle. Every now and then, Selena saw a horse-drawn carriage rolling by.
Thor’s talons clacked against the pavement with every step he took. Rahim looked around with anticipation and exhilaration.
Some of the elves stopped to stare at Thor. One of them pointed at him and whispered to the other.
“Alfheim is one of the largest cities in Armageddon,” Neith announced, noticing how Selena was looking around with great anticipation. “It is separated into seven districts. Currently, we’re in the Market District. There are great walls that separate the seven districts. The six others are the Imperial, Dragon, Garden, Memorial, Sky, and Dragonspire. The Imperial District is the central part of the city where the Council’s headquarters are. The Dragon District is home to the soldiers and officers of the Imperial Air Force, where you and your dragon will be staying. Many of our wealthy families live in the Garden District while many of the middle class and not as wealthy live in the Sky District. Dragonspire is its own jurisdiction where many of our scholars, mages, and wizards go to study more about all of the different kinds of magic. On occasion, we also send our riders there as well for futur
e education in the arcane arts. You can get there by going through the Garden District. There is a giant bridge that will take you to the towers of Dragonspire.”
Selena looked to see a large black and gray clock towering above the walls that stood boldly in the setting sun. On top sat a seven-headed beast with ten horns—the first head had four horns while the rest had only one. Its tail arched around the face while it stood on top, its heads looking in every direction. The head with the four horns was in the middle and looked down upon what took place in Alfheim.
Neith stood beside them and looked up as well.
“That clock is known as the Pyre. It was built to soothe the spirits of the fallen soldiers from the One Hundred Years’ War. It’s known as the Pyre because of its grim and chilling chimes it rings each hour.”
At her words, the Pyre chimed slowly and steadily. It waited before screaming the next when the first was still dreadful in everyone’s ears. It was like someone uttering one word over and over again, the very word that made the hair on Selena’s neck stand on end. She felt depressed and thought of the clock shouting, “die,” seven times in a row.
The clouds occasionally moved in front of the setting sun, catching the warm colors and painting them across the sky.
Selena, Thor, Neith, and Rahim walked away just as the Pyre finished its last bell.
Thor lowered his head and placed it on her shoulders in comfort. She smiled and patted his nose.
“Selena, wait.”
Rahim reached out and grabbed her shoulder to keep her from walking too far while Neith continued her way.
She stopped in her tracks, surprised to hear him call for her.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said quietly.
Selena looked at him with a confused glance.
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
Rahim took a deep breath.
“I shouldn’t have been so mean to him. That’s probably why Silver was mean to me.”
Selena blinked a few times and suddenly felt worse.
“No, I should be sorry,” she said sadly.
“I didn't really trust him all that well, but I tried to because you did.”
Selena placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a kind look.
“For that, I thank you. I appreciate and accept your apology, but only if you accept mine.
Rahim smiled, but their conversation was interrupted by Neith, who called them over.
“Vidar will meet you here in just a moment, but while you wait, I will take Rahim with me. We have some spare rooms for him to stay in.”
Selena nodded, hesitant in meeting the man that she secretly hoped she would never see again.
“Thank you kindly,” Rahim said and bowed his head.
“We will meet again, Andric,” Neith called out.
Selena watched as the two disappeared through the crowd. Her ears twitched when she heard Vidar calling the two over. He walked over from the temple’s entrance with the same companion he had before, known as Ashur. In the shadows stood a third wearing a midnight blue cloak.
“You two were the last recruits to get to Alfheim,” Vidar said with an irritated tone.
“Our sincerest apologies,” Selena said and gave him a bow.
She looked up to see Vidar squinting at her through his beady eyes.
“May I see your papers?” he asked while extending his hand.
She immediately straightened up and pulled out the forged document with trembling fingers. Gritting her teeth, she prayed in her head that he would not question the legitimacy of the paperwork.
After one quick scan, he yawned and grew bored with reading before giving them back.
“So, Andric Liongod,” he began, “we appreciate you coming here on such short notice. Neith told me briefly how you already have your own dragon, but I wanted to hear more on the details.”
He gave her a malicious-looking smile.
Her eyes widened as she and Thor exchanged glances.
“It’s kind of a long story,” Selena said as she scratched the back of her head.
Tell him this: It was about a month ago when he found me. I was more helpless back then. I was hunting in the Hinterlands at the time and I was badly injured by a large creature. I never got a close look at it, but it left bad gashes in my legs and chest.
Selena reiterated Thor’s story in hopes that they would believe it.
“In the Hinterlands you say,” Vidar said as he examined the two.
“Very brave of you indeed, Andric,” Ashur mumbled in a cold voice.
Yes, it was terrible. If Andric hadn’t found me and taken care of me, I probably would have been dead. I vowed to serve him and to join the Air Force, Thor continued with a bow of his head.
Selena recited his words once more and looked at him with amazement for coming up with a convincing story on the spot.
“A hatchling left to die? It has happened before, although the Council keeps a tight protocol for all our dragon eggs,” Vidar continued again.
Selena swallowed hard.
“We’ve seen rogue dragons live in the Hinterlands before,” the one dressed in the blue cloak intervened, “it is possible that Thor was an abandoned offspring.”
“Hmmm… I suppose that would make sense,” Vidar replied.
“Despite Andric coming across a wild dragon in the wild, the two agreed that the best way to keep their bond was to serve the Empire. They could have easily gone rogue themselves,” his third companion said again.
“I guess you’re right, for now. Then, I wanted to thank you two for reporting for duty. Tonight you will be shown to your bunker. Tomorrow, the real training will begin.
“As for your dragon, he will need to be taken to his quarters,” Vidar said as he immediately reached out for the reins.
“Wait...” Selena attempted to argue, but Vidar’s unknown friend intervened.
“Don’t worry about your dragon,” they assured, “he will be staying near the docks with the other dragons of the Imperial Air Force. He will have plenty of space, as well as raised cattle for him to hunt.”
“Very well,” Selena said, although she did not agree with being separated from her dragon.
She looked at him and patted his nose.
If they mistreat you in any way…
Thor sniffed her hair.
I will be fine, little one. Do not worry about me. I want you to be careful, though. I have a strange feeling that we will need to do our best to stay on our toes from this point forward. At least we can still talk to each other, even if we are stationed in separate locations.
He reluctantly went with Vidar. As they walked off, Vidar called out:
“Ashur is one of your Captains! Show him your utmost respect!”
Selena looked at Ashur with awe and gave him a bow as well. He gave her a huff in response.
“I will see you a little later this evening, Liongod,” he growled before following Vidar.
She attempted not to cry; that was the first time the two had been separated since they were found together. It was as if a part of her went missing.
“I understand your pain. Your dragon will be safe and well looked after.”
Selena turned around to face the mysterious figure. Their voice sounded feminine. For a strange reason, a sense of familiarity washed over her, as if she had met this person before. Her vision blurred for a slight second and she saw a little girl standing in front of someone wearing the same exact cloak. The person bent over to scoop up the little girl in her arms.
Selena was brought back to reality when the figure lifted the hood that concealed their face.
Her eyes widened with wonder. The person standing in front of her had long, silver hair that glistened in the evening sun and white eyebrows that were tinted with silver. Her face was delicate, and pale, and had eyes that were the color of sapphires. Underneath her cloak, she wore a long, midnight blue dress that hugged her slender features. Around her waist was a belt holding her sword
and a dagger. Upon her head was a silver crown with two symmetrical lions holding a white sapphire between their paws. Their tails trailed behind them, twisting together in the back.
When Selena saw the crown, she gasped and bowed her head, realizing that she was royalty.
“I’m sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am Aryl Aurora, the Empress of Armageddon,” she said. Her voice sounded deep and kind.
Selena almost fell directly to her knees and wondered if she disrespected the Empress in any way. Every second she stood in front of the Empress she became more nervous and uneasy.
“There is no reason for you to feel uncomfortable in my presence.”
Selena looked up. The Empress had her head tilted a little to the side as if she were examining her.
“I’m sorry…” Selena could not finish her sentence; she did not know how to address the Empress.
“‘My Lady’ will do fine.”
The Empress chuckled a little. Selena’s face became red with embarrassment.
“My apologies…my Lady,” Selena finished.
“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that you made it here safely,” the Empress continued.
“I had some help,” Selena muttered.
“I know.”
She smiled before reaching into her cloak and pulling out a rolled up piece of parchment that was sealed tight.
“Do not open this until you are alone. It’s for your eyes only,” she whispered.
Selena looked at her with a strange look before taking and hiding it.
“Just know that everything is going according to plan. Do what you are told and keep low,” the Empress whispered once more. She then walked a little past her and pointed at a carriage that was parked nearby. “That will take you to where you need to go. We will speak again, my dear child.”
The Empress then turned around and walked in the same direction as Vidar and Ashur.
“Come on! We haven’t all day!” the coachman from the carriage shouted. Selena took a deep breath and ran to the carriage. She opened the door and sat on the cushioned seat near the window. The coachman snapped the reins and the carriage went its course.
Selena gazed out the window, looking at all the different marble buildings. The wheels ran over a bump and she jumped up from her seat. They went over a couple of bumps on the road and three seconds passed before it went over another bump. Her head was filled with the pounding of the horse’s hooves striking against the ground. Some of the men wore mahogany leather vests and short skirts over thick tights and some armor. Their thick boots went to their knees. The women wore long red robes with collars edged with black.
