Three months since the funeral and the wound was still raw. Most days, Legolie could bury the grief enough to function normally, though perhaps not as well as she might have before. Most days, she could see past it enough to be the queen of her people. Today was not one of those days.
Legolie sat alone in her reception room, ruminating on memories of time with those she had lost, not just Link and Fingolfin, but many others as well. Sitting on the throne felt too much like being a ruler, something Legolie was not at all inclined to be today, but there was no other furniture in the room, so she sat on the floor. Perhaps she should have a more comfortable chair brought in for days like this, but such a need had never been necessary in the past. It wasn’t so long ago – could it truly have been only six years? – that Legolie had put in a lot of effort to avoid this room. When exactly had that changed? Had it been when Fingolfin was smashed? When she had finally allowed Ckoro Egas to become her chief advisor? Somewhere in there, she was sure, had been when she matured enough to put a significant portion of her time into actually ruling her country. Of course, she wasn’t exactly doing that now, so maybe she had a long way to go. Sighing, Legolie returned to her grief.
She was soon shaken out of hit, however, by a knock on the door. “I told you, Ckoro. I’m not taking any business today.” The elven queen took a deep breath to suppress her anger. Her chief advisor was not very receptive to her needs on days such as this. He seemed to be of a mind that she was not allowed any breaks in her queenly duties. It could be infuriating sometimes.
Another knock on the door, but this time, before Legolie could say anything, Ckoro spoke. “There’s a visitor, your majesty. He’s one I think you want to see.”
With a deep sigh, Legolie stood up and trudged over to her throne. “Let him in.” The door creaked open and in stepped Leinad ap Payton. Glad to see a friend and pleased that Ckoro had interrupted her with good reason for once, Legolie was lifted temporarily out of her depression. “Welcome, Leinad. What brings you here?”
Leinad smiled. “I’ve come to offer you an adventure.”
Woman to woman, Legolie, always. always. take the adventure. Yay!!
-last edited on Dec 29, 2018 17:36:03 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Dec 29, 2018 17:35:25 GMT
Chapter 10
“An adventure?” Now Legolie’s interest was truly piqued. As she stepped down from her throne and walked over to Leinad to embrace him, her mind swam with possibilities.
Leinad’s smile stretched into a grin and a chuckle of laughter. Legolie could only imagine what her face had looked like when he had said the words. “Aye, an adventure.”
She reached him, they embraced, and the elven queen took a step back. “What are you waiting for? Tell me.”
“Okay, okay.” Leinad raised his hands in mock surrender, but then gave Legolie a look that told her what he was going to say next was serious business. “I don’t know if you remember, but last time I was here I said we were having trouble with bandits. It turns out they weren’t just any bandits; they were the Bandits.”
Legolie, serious now, raised an eyebrow. “The ones that Shayden used to lead? They weren’t too much trouble before.”
Leinad nodded. “Aye, but Shayden doesn’t lead them anymore. Their new leader is ruthless, and very good at what he does. King Leonus wants to recruit a small team to take him down.”
“He has an army. If they’re not sufficient, I can’t imagine what I can do to help.”
Leinad shrugged. “The Bandits have been moving too quickly for us to catch them. Right now, our numbers are our disadvantage. His majesty thinks a small, elite group with the right talents has the best chance of taking them down. Look, he can explain it better. You don’t have to agree yet, but just come with me to the castle so you can hear about it from the king and meet the people you’d be working with. An adventure’s an adventure, isn’t it?”
Legolie grinned. “An adventure’s an adventure. Alright, you’ve sold me. It can’t be any worse than what I’m doing right now. Let me just pack my things.” Leinad stepped out and the elven queen went to her rooms to prepare. All the while, a voice in the back of her mind was telling her not to shirk her duty like this, but she ignored it. She deserved an adventure. The kingdom could survive without her for a few weeks. Couldn’t it?
“An adventure?” Now Legolie’s interest was truly piqued. As she stepped down from her throne and walked over to Leinad to embrace him, her mind swam with possibilities.
Leinad’s smile stretched into a grin and a chuckle of laughter. Legolie could only imagine what her face had looked like when he had said the words. “Aye, an adventure.”
She reached him, they embraced, and the elven queen took a step back. “What are you waiting for? Tell me.”
“Okay, okay.” Leinad raised his hands in mock surrender, but then gave Legolie a look that told her what he was going to say next was serious business. “I don’t know if you remember, but last time I was here I said we were having trouble with bandits. It turns out they weren’t just any bandits; they were the Bandits.”
Legolie, serious now, raised an eyebrow. “The ones that Shayden used to lead? They weren’t too much trouble before.”
Leinad nodded. “Aye, but Shayden doesn’t lead them anymore. Their new leader is ruthless, and very good at what he does. King Leonus wants to recruit a small team to take him down.”
“He has an army. If they’re not sufficient, I can’t imagine what I can do to help.”
Leinad shrugged. “The Bandits have been moving too quickly for us to catch them. Right now, our numbers are our disadvantage. His majesty thinks a small, elite group with the right talents has the best chance of taking them down. Look, he can explain it better. You don’t have to agree yet, but just come with me to the castle so you can hear about it from the king and meet the people you’d be working with. An adventure’s an adventure, isn’t it?”
Legolie grinned. “An adventure’s an adventure. Alright, you’ve sold me. It can’t be any worse than what I’m doing right now. Let me just pack my things.” Leinad stepped out and the elven queen went to her rooms to prepare. All the while, a voice in the back of her mind was telling her not to shirk her duty like this, but she ignored it. She deserved an adventure. The kingdom could survive without her for a few weeks. Couldn’t it?
-last edited on Dec 30, 2018 16:10:06 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Dec 30, 2018 16:09:17 GMT
Chapter 11
The day that Skirj left the towers was clear and bright; the temperature warm but not too hot. It was a perfect contrast with his mood. He was angry that he had been forced out, sad that he might see this place – his home – ever again, and, most of all, afraid that his brother was lost forever. Everyone seemed to be working in the outer towers, so there was no one around to watch him slowly descend the staircase, a small backpack – had he so few personal items? – slung over one shoulder. He was grateful for that, at least. Spectators would have made this so much worse. Every few minutes, when the pain grew too much, he had to stop and rest. He could have stayed in the medical ward a few more days, but the pain of seeing the pity, or sometimes the fear, on the faces of the people around him was worse than any physical pain he might be enduring now.
Skirj was almost at the bottom of the stairs, and just starting to think how nice it was to be alone in this moment, when a strange sound reached his ears. Was that a lute? Gritting his teeth against the pain, he forced himself down the remainder of the stairs and flung open the door that led to the outside. Sure enough, there was a curly-haired elven main leaning against the wall and playing a lute. Skirj stared at him for a few seconds before he finally worked up the nerve to ask, “What are you doing?”
The elf turned to him with a smile. “Oh, hey, didn’t see you there. What does it look like I’m doing? I’m playing my lute. Name’s Hayteleck, by the way.” Hayteleck extended a hand for Skirj to shake.
Reluctantly, Skirj shook the elf’s hand. “Skirj. Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you playing your lute?”
Hayteleck laughed. “Why not? It’s a beautiful day and I’m starting a new chapter in my life.”
Skirj was about to leave it at that and move on, but something in the back of his head told him to stay a little longer. “A new chapter?”
“A new chapter,” Hayteleck agreed, “You see, I’ve been kicked out of the Towers for disturbing the other learners. What about you?”
“I got kicked out for endangering my own life and the lives of everyone in the Towers.”
Hayteleck stopped playing his lute and looked up at Skirj. “Tell me about it.”
-last edited on Dec 31, 2018 18:41:23 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Dec 31, 2018 18:40:28 GMT
Chapter 12
Skirj soon found himself telling Hayteleck all about Skrag, how he was smashed, and how he had been trying to bring him back since. When he was finished, Hayteleck set down his lute and whistled loudly. “Sounds like you’re going to need some help if you want to save your brother.”
Skirj looked at him blankly. “What do you mean?”
“What do you mean, what do I mean? I’m coming with you!” Hayteleck grinned.
Skirj did not grin back. “No. This is my burden. I need to carry it myself. Besides, I don’t have any money or any books that might give me ideas for what to do.”
“I think I can help with that,” said a voice from behind him.
Skirj spun around to see Errica carrying an enormous stack of papers. “What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing? I’m coming with you, just like this guy.” She pointed at Hayteleck. “And I brought a ton of Septimus’s research. I figure that with all this there must be something that can help you.”
“You stole all this from Septimus’s study? What if you got caught?” Skirj glanced around nervously to make sure nobody was watching them.”
“First of all,” said Errica, “It’s only stealing if I take it away from the Towers, which I guess I am. But second of all, nobody saw me. And even if they did, I’m a shapeshifter, remember?”
“You shapeshift into animals.”
“And nobody would suspect an animal of stealing a bundle of highly valuable magical research.”
Skirj sighed. “Fine, whatever. Errica, this is Hayteleck, a guy I just met. Hayteleck, this is Errica, my friend.”
The elf extended his hand and Errica shook it. “Charmed. Skirj has told me so much about you.”
Hayteleck laughed. “Ah, yes. In the five minutes we’ve known each other, our friendship has truly blossomed.” With an elegant bow, he picked up his lute and strummed a few notes. “Where to now, leader?”
Skirj looked at Hayteleck, then at Errica, and then at the ground. “Um . . .”
-last edited on Jan 1, 2019 16:46:17 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jan 1, 2019 16:45:46 GMT
Chapter 13
72 days since Skrag had been smashed. 68 days since the funeral. It hurt Terra more than she wanted to say, more than she thought it should have. They had met six years ago, on the day Skrag and Zargan arrived at the base of what had then been the Dragon Riders. Terra and Raini had been there for almost a year. They were all there for a month, and then the war started. A month after that, and she had left to pursue the Falkrions. She was gone for the better part of six years, and when she returned Skrag was almost a different person entirely. They had coexisted for only a couple days before she had to leave. That was the last time she had seen him. Two months and a few days across six years was all the time she had spent with Skrag. So why did it hurt so much?
Terra was ripped from her thoughts by a knock on the door. She and Raini had been staying at Paladeen to give the Falkrions some extra space in their makeshift village and it was going well so far. She liked the little houses, the privacy they provided, and the escape from all the noise. With a groan, she stood up and opened the door. Hithrol stood there, a worried expression on his face, a sheaf of papers clenched in one hand. “I have news.”
Terra looked over him appraisingly. “Is it that bad?”
“Not all of it. The Elves still haven’t replied, but the Lion Kingdom says they have no objections to our plan. The Dwarves and the Dragon Kingdom are a different story. They say they will oppose any attempts to occupy the Falcon Kingdom’s land with force, if necessary. I thought I’d bring it to you first, since you’re close, to ask if you have any ideas on how to deliver the news to Tinunclus.”
Terra thought for a moment, clutching her forehead in frustration. “He won’t be happy. He had his heart set on this plan. But I don’t see why they’re objecting so strongly. It’s not like anyone else is using it. I’d say we should try to talk with them, see if we can alleviate any concerns they have.”
Hithrol shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. Care to come with me to deliver the news?”
“And face the wrath of Tinunclus? I’d rather not.” Hithrol didn’t leave. “I don’t have a choice, do I?” Hithrol shook his head.
-last edited on Jan 2, 2019 15:03:32 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jan 2, 2019 15:03:13 GMT
Chapter 14
“I have made my decision.” The words came suddenly, unbidden by anyone. Tinunclus had been mulling over the situation for the better part of an hour while the rest of the congregation waited tensely. They had gathered just outside the Falkrion base – four representatives each from the Riders, the Falkrions, and Axomius’s group. At first, they had all tried to offer suggestions to Tinunclus, ways in which the situation might be resolved, but at last he had refused them all and sat down to think it over on his own. Now, it seemed, the thinking was finally over. “We cannot wait any longer. Trying to alter another location to fit our needs will take too much time. So will any prolonged negotiations, which these would likely be. From what you have told me, there is no provision giving these other parties the right to decide the fate of this territory. We would be doing nothing wrong or illegal were we to simply take control of this castle. So that is what we will do. We will find a way in and take the castle. The only way to prevent us from having it then would be to remove us forcibly. That would require a siege, in which we are at an advantage, particularly given our power of flight. Eventually, they will give up.”
Everyone began shouting at once, each offering his or her own opinions on this solution, none able to be heard over the others. At last, Olifin seemed to have enough of it and shouted with all his draconic lung-power, “SILENCE!” All quickly obliged and Tinunclus nodded his thanks to the dragon. Olifin gave a growl to warn them all against speaking out of turn again and said, “Speak one at a time. Be brief.” They did so.
The Falkrions all supported Tinunclus’s plan. Belarius, one of Axomius’s group, opposed it. The rest were unsure. It was risky, certainly, but not necessarily a bad idea. It was hard to be sure without knowledge of the reasoning behind the decisions of the Dwarves and Dragon Knights. When all had taken a turn, Tinunclus spoke again. “My decision is final. You have all aided us greatly, but now you will either help us or get out of our way.” He flew away.
-last edited on Jan 3, 2019 18:29:28 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jan 3, 2019 18:28:54 GMT
Chapter 15
Jayden tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the final two members of their assembled team to arrive. He felt Caisara nudge him with her elbow and followed her gaze to King Leonus, who was watching him with a perturbed expression. Jayden stopped tapping his foot. This was the first work they’d been able to find since leaving the Baron’s group and he wasn’t going to jeopardize it for something as foolish as a nervous habit. Still, he, Caisara, and the cloaked woman called Isabel had been there for over an hour and he was done waiting. Angrily, he got to his feet, only for the door to open at the same time as a servant called out. “They have arrived, your majesty.”
Hoping the king hadn’t noticed his near outburst, Jayden tried to play it off as a reaction to the doors opening and leaned forward as if trying to get a better view. Caisara, noticing his attempted cover-up, mimicked his motions. Jayden silently thanked her. Isabel also stood up, probably not wanting to be the only one sitting. As the two figures walked through the doors, the room seemed to be holding its collective breath.
The first was a Lion Knight in a red cape, and the second was the last person Jayden would have expected to see here: Legolie, queen of the elves.
King Leonus stepped down to shake the knight’s hand, giving Legolie a tiny bow. “Welcome. Thank you for coming.” He returned to his throne and gestured around the room. “I present to you Leinad ap Payton, a loyal knight and a good friend, and Queen Legolie. Leinad, Legolie, your compatriots will be Jayden Crow, Dragonslayer; his silent companion Caisara; and Isabel the Executioner.”
Legolie nodded. “I know them. Jayden and Caisara saved my life and Isabel is a friend of a friend.”
The king clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Leinad has briefed you on the situation, I trust?”
“Yes, your majesty, unless there have been any new developments in my absence.”
The king sighed. “I’m afraid not. Another raid, but nothing that could help you.”
In that moment, Jayden saw just how weary the king was. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. “If there’s nothing else that need be done, let’s get to it. These bandits won’t catch themselves.”
-last edited on Jan 4, 2019 16:29:10 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jan 4, 2019 16:28:16 GMT
Chapter 16
One, two, three, four, five, six, turn. One, two, three, four, five, six, turn. Skirj tried to focus on the sound of his footsteps, on the feeling of the long grass against his shins, on anything but the terrible danger his brother was in, but it was useless. Right now, Skrag was somewhere in that castle fighting off hordes of shadowy creatures, and Skirj could do nothing to help him. Distracting himself by pacing was the only way to keep the fear from overwhelming him. One, two, three, four-. “Would you stop that already?”
Skirj spun around to face Digls, “My brother is in there risking his life to save the world. If I don’t keep myself distracted, I’m going to go crazy. So, unless you have any better ideas, I think I’ll continue pacing.”
Digls groaned. “Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“Fine, I’ll talk to you. But you better not say anything stupid.”
Skirj shrugged. “I’ll do my best. What do you want to talk about?”
Digls groaned again, even louder this time. “I don’t know. Anything that will keep you quiet.”
Skirj held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Why don’t you talk about . . .”? He racked his brain, trying to think of something at least a little bit interesting. “Ah! Why don’t you talk about how you found your Honorblade?”
“Okay,” said Digls, “Lemme see. The wizard took us up north into the desert and told us to dig. Took a long time, but it was fun, because, you know, digging.”
Skirj smiled and nodded, pretending to understand the allure of digging.
“Anyway, we went into the Temple and the wizard led the way. There were all sorts of traps and spells and stuff that would have smashed us a dozen times over if he didn’t know where to go. He led us down deep inside, and into the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen. Gold, everywhere, and gemstones, and-.” A tear came into the dwarf’s eye, and he had to pause for a moment to collect himself. “It was just beautiful. Indescribable, really. But we didn’t find the Honorblade there, so the wizard took us to a room with a bunch of books. It was-.”
“Incredible?” asked Skirj.
“Boring,” Digls replied. “But the Honorblade wasn’t there either, so we went to a secret painting room and found it. The end.”
-last edited on Jan 5, 2019 15:59:44 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Jan 5, 2019 15:58:40 GMT
Chapter 17
“I know where we need to go,” said Skirj, looking up at his two companions. He had been thinking about it for several minutes, and they had now moved to a safe distance away from the Towers. They had thought it prudent not to discuss their plans so near, especially since they were carrying stolen goods.
“Where?” asked Hayteleck, strumming on his lute again. Skirj could tell already that that habit was going to drive him crazy.
“There’s a temple in the desert, buried beneath the sand. My brother went there once. He said it was filled with tomes and scrolls of knowledge from ancient times. If the research I need to save my brother exists, it will be there.”
Errica looked at him skeptically. “It sounds like something the Towers would be aware of, but I’ve never heard of anything like that. Are you sure this isn’t some sort of story?”
Skirj shook his head. “I’m sure. Septimus Merlinsson knew about it. If the secrets in it are as valuable as they sound, he wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to know.”
“Alright,” Errica agreed, “I guess that makes sense. But if no one knows about it, how are we going to find it. Did your brother tell you where it is?”
Skirj shook his head.
“Great. So we’re looking for a place that might not exist to find knowledge that it might not contain, and we have no clue where to look in the enormous desert.”
Skirj held up a hand to calm her down. “You didn’t let me finish. I don’t know where it is, but I do know someone who does know. He’s a dwarf named Digls and he was with Skrag and Septimus when they went there.”
Errica breathed a sigh of relief. “Great. Where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“Can you describe him?” asked Hayteleck.
Skirj closed his eyes, trying to remember. “He’s bald, has a bushy beard, and carries a pickaxe around.”
Errica groaned. “That describes half the dwarves in the world!”
Skirj decided to ignore her and turned to Hayteleck. “Do you think you could cast a locator spell to find him?”
Hayteleck nodded. “It’ll take a while, but yeah, I can find him.”
“Then let’s get to it. No point in wasting time.”
“I hope this whole thing isn’t a waste of time,” said Errica. Skirj rolled his eyes.
Yay!! 
