The necromancer had decided to visit his creations. Needing to weave his darkness into the hopeless creatures and be sure to make them understand just who their master was. This was just one piece of the army he was building, the other was hidden in the fae land. His love, Zurina, was bringing to life an evil like no other, one that had never been seen before, and he couldn’t wait to travel to see her and the dead she was breathing life into.
“Your Majesty, it’s a surprise to see you down here,” Rethik greeted him.
Kelak raised his eyebrow slightly at the creator’s statement. “Is it really a surprise to you, Rethik? That I should decide to come and visit our creations? Besides, I think it is time that we merge some of my magic into them. Bring evil to the blood that runs through them.”
“Very well, Your Majesty, follow me. I will take you to the ones that are ready to be released should we need them. The ones that you have just passed are not quite yet mature enough to take your magic,” Rethik explained, leading Kelak through the main chamber to the cages that held the grown monsters.
The Orgol’s thrashed against the bars. The shocks of magic that hit them as they connected with the metal only fuelling their dumb rage. A hybrid creation of Orge-troll Kelak couldn’t help but smirk darkly as he remembered the poor souls they once were. The ones that had dared cross his land. Or the traitors that had tried to escape his rule. Now they were at his command, and they would be bound to Temero, they would defend the very country they had thought to steal from.
Kelak stepped up to one of the cages, allowing his ebony eyes to lock with the black, unblinking hole of the Orgol. They were ugly, large thick- set creatures that would easily match the strength of a dragon. Their skin was a dark grey and waxy to the touch. Faces that were flat with teeth pointed and lethal jutting out from a protruding jaw. Two spear shaped horns grew tall from their heads. Claw like hands, wrapped talon-like fingers around the bars. Shaking them in fury. They were dumb, but that didn’t bother Kelak. They were not created to be smart. They were created to kill.
“Your Majesty, are they what you hoped for?” Rethik asked quietly.
Kelak could hear the uncertainty in the creator’s voice. Yet Rethik had nothing to fear, these creatures were much more than Kelak had ever imagined them to be, and he truly couldn’t wait to unleash them upon the unexpected lands. “Rethik, they are perfect. In fact, they are more than perfect, once my powers flood through their veins they will be unstoppable,” Kelak replied, turning to focus his attention on the older man before him.
The relief that was evident in Rethik’s eyes brought a rare smile to Kelak’s lips. “You have never let me down before Rethik. I knew you wouldn’t this time either. Now if you wouldn’t mind leaving me. I need to make these creatures aware that I am their master, and that it is me that they will answer to,” Kelak ordered.
Rethik wisely chose to do what was asked of him. Once he was sure he was alone, Kelak positioned himself in the middle of the circle of cages. Drawing in on his powers, forcing a calm to settle over the creatures, subduing them enough so that they would not fight what he was about to do.
“Now, my precious ones, I’m not here to hurt you but you must understand who your master is, and who you are to protect,” he spoke gently, as his body began to turn. His pure white skin soon became a maze of patterns. Symbols that spoke of power. A power so dark that it could rise the dead and command them to do whatever it was he wanted. But this time he would not use that power, instead he would wield a magic so dark, so deadly, that no dragon or any other creature would be able to destroy it.
A necromancer was always underestimated. Not just by the dragons, but the fae also. Yet they were the ones that brought the dead to life and conducted them in a way no one else could. They could make the dead do whatever they wanted. Now the power of persuasion was to be used on the monsters he had created.
A glaze settled over his ebony eyes, they stayed wide open and unseeing as he began to chant. A deep green light filled the room as it seeped from every part of Kelak. His chanting became louder, fighting to be heard over the cries of pain coming from the orgols.
Finally, he stopped, and a silence settled over them all. He scanned the cages surrounding him. The monsters stared back with those dead black eyes of theirs. They were completely focused on him. Taking in a long deep breath and reaching out to the orgols, he sensed the need for death, for blood within them. The spell had worked. Evil ran through them now, wrapping its claws around what little souls they had. They were ready, and Kelak couldn’t wait to finish building this army from hell.
“Your Majesty, I have come to tell you that King Axis has arrived.” Rethik broke through his thoughts, forcing him to turn away from his pride and joy.
“Did it work?” Rethik questioned.
Kelak nodded making his way towards the creator, placing a hand on his shoulder to steer him away from the cages. “It worked and they are at my command now. Keep up the good work, Rethik. I must address King Axis. I may bring him down here to visit them tomorrow. So be sure that they are secure and will be of no risk to him.” Kelak ordered.
Not needing to hear Rethik’s response, knowing that the old creature would do as he asked, he made his way out into fresher air and towards where he would meet with the fae king. He was eager to find out what new information he would have for him, especially as he would have just come from Ustrina. Kelak was keen to know just what the dragon king had to say this time round.
Kelak found Axis pacing the carpeted floor of his throne room, he supposed he should have been sure to have been there to greet him. The fae were not known to be patient creatures, and the king certainly didn't like to be greeted by guards instead of Kelak. Kelak didn't care though, why should he? He didn't need Axis. He had the start of the most powerful army of the lands, he could take what he wanted without the help of others. In fact, he almost wanted to cut ties with Axis. It was so much easier to do things himself instead of relying on others.
"You finally decided to greet me Kelak." Axis snarled.
Kelak simply laughed in response before taking a seat on his tall, elegant silver chair that was his throne. He was a simple creature, not needing the fancy decoration to lavish his seat of power. Fixing his black eyes on the Fae king, marvelling as he always did at the beauty of them.
King Axis was the finest specimen you would find of a fae. He was royal blood, it was to be expected. With those emerald eyes that they all had, ones that looked like the stone itself was set in them, and long silver hair that was braided with stones of different meanings and colour.
Although the fae stood tall and slender, there was no underestimating the lethal weapon that hid under their fine clothing. Not to mention their cunning mind. They were the smartest of the races, with the elves just behind them in their mind ability. The difference being, the elves used their power for good, the fae, well, there was not an ounce of good within any of them.
"I haven’t come to see you so that you can simply gaze at my unearthly beauty. I know it’s hard to accept that my looks are something you will never have Kelak." Axis fired spitefully, bringing Kelak from his thoughts.
His eyes flashed with a flame of red at the tone of the Fae King. "You will do well to remember where you are, Axis. You are in my land now and you will speak to me with respect. Here, you are not royalty. Here, you are my guest. And may I also remind you that it was you that came to visit me. I never asked you here. So with that being said, why don't you tell me what news you bring. I can only assume that the reason you are stood before me is that you have information I must hear," Kelak replied, allowing his gaze to flick to where Zurina stood. He would ravish her later that night, once he had dealt with Axis.
He hadn't seen his dark beauty for many moons, it had been far too long and they had much to catch up on. Not only that, but he longed to know how her own army of death was coming along.
It had been agreed that they would not share their other creation with A
xis just yet. It wasn't that he didn't trust the fae, it was more that he wanted to be sure they were all on the right path of what it was they wanted.
The orgols on the other hand, Axis would have to see them. He knew of them, Kelak had spoken with him the last time he had come.
Axis nodded to the seat next to Kelak's throne. "May I join you? Or will you make me stand this whole meeting? And some refreshments would be good. I dared not eat the food the dragons offered me, who knows what I could have picked up."
"Once we have finished our little chat, then of course you are welcome to eat and rest for as long as you need to. Now, tell me, how was the old dragon?" Kelak questioned, leaning back against the fine silver, bringing his midnight blue cloak tighter round himself.
There was a sudden chill in the air, and he was sure that it was coming from the fae. They had the ability to change the temperature of the air around you in a mere moment depending on their mood. And it was clear that Kelak had angered Axis, it was why he was being punished with the cold.
"Izzeris is no different to the last time I visited with him. He will do as I ask of that I have no doubt. It's not him that we have to worry about, Kelak. It is that son of his. He happened to come storming into the throne room as we were talking, throwing demands around and just being disrespectful to his father and to me. I don't know how much he heard. Izzeris assures me he will be sure to make Ashran understand what will happen should he speak of anything he did hear. But still I think, that the young dragon will bring us trouble." Axis explained to him, the tone of his words stressing to Kelak just how much of a worry the white dragon was.
Kelak knew of Ashran, the white dragon. The only white dragon in existence. He had never met him, nor had he had the chance to see him in his majestic glory, but he could only imagine what a sight he would be. It was no surprise to him that this youngster was curious as to what was going on. If he was anything like his father, he would have a hot head, and with the strength to match. They couldn't afford to make Ashran the enemy. He would be king in the near future, they needed the dragons on their side. They were the most powerful race, no one dared to deny it. Not even the arrogant fae.
Tapping long fingers against the arm rest of his throne, his mind taking in what Axis had just told him. "Do you think Izzeris can control his son? Or are we going to have to step into a family domestic and take control of the boy ourselves?" Kelak asked, hoping that the latter would not be what was needed. He didn't really want to come between two dragons, they weren't worth his time or energy.
"I say we let Izzeris handle him for now, but if he doesn't manage it then of course we step in. We have come so far already, Kelak, we can't let a foolish, dumb, hot-headed dragon ruin it." Axis replied.
Kelak could feel Axis’ frustrated gaze on him as he continued to tap on the arm of the throne. He ignored him. Continuing to taunt the fae king purely for his own amusement.
He glanced over at Zurina, noting the slight smirk on her beautiful face. Her rune were more detailed and intricate as they wove across her white skin. Skin that matched his, but yet seemed to be more deadly in its glow. Running his tongue over his lips, a shadow of a smile pulling at them as he saw the look of lust flicker in her eyes, gone just as quick when Axis side glanced her.
Turning his attention back onto the king, as he replied. "Very well, I will trust your judgement there Axis. Now, do you want to come see the monsters I have created? They are coming on nicely. Just before you turned up I visited the ones that were matured and they took my magic well. They are now at my command."
"At your command? I thought it was agreed that they would answer to us both!" Axis exclaimed.
Kelak felt the temperature in the room change once more, this time the burning heat of rage. Kelak rolled his eyes at the fae, they were just as bad as the dragons with their ever changing moods. "Please Axis, this is getting a bit boring now. Settle your temper and I will take you to see the orgols. But I can't let you near them if you are behaving like this. They will pick up on it, and being my army, they are now bound to protect me. They will kill you," Kelak said simply, standing and making his way towards the staircase behind the throne that would lead them straight to the chambers.
Glancing back at Axis, who was still sat glaring at him. "Well are you coming? I have things to do, Axis. I don't have all day to wait for you to get over your little tantrum." And, with those words he turned and continued down the stairs, grinning slightly as he heard footsteps behind.
He knew that Axis would have followed, he wouldn't have been able to help himself. Shaking his head slightly, yes, maybe it was time to cut ties with the fae king, either that or Axis needed to get over the jealousy he was clearly holding inside. They were never going to achieve what they had set out to do if changes weren't made. Axis had to understand that Kelak was the king, he was the leader of this plan, and the sooner Axis grasped that, the sooner they could get on with it.
“I have been thinking, we should pay a visit to Letalis, it is about time we spoke with the Basilisk king. He would be a fine ally in this quest,” Axis suggested as he caught up with Kelak.
Kelak stopped at the entrance to the chamber, turning to face the fae king. “Why would we involve yet another hot- headed creature? It’s bad enough having to deal with the dragons, I am not keen on the idea that we should deal with King Slyther also.”
“If you won’t go to him, then I will. It will be worth our effort with him, and I shall travel to meet with King Mezas as well. The demons always have a lot to say on what is going on. If we don’t go to them, then they will certainly come to us,” Axis pointed out.
Kelak sighed deeply. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop Axis doing what he wanted. No one could stop a fae when they had their mind set on something. And the king of the fae was the most stubborn of them all.
Gesturing slightly before turning to open the door. “Do as you wish, Axis, you often do. I will look forward to hearing the outcome of your meetings in both Letalis and Lehenna. I am sure their kings will welcome you with kindness. Take Zurina just in case the decide they don’t like what you have come to ask of them,” Kelak responded, stepping aside to let Axis step round him and into the dimly lit chamber. He watched the fae’s eyes light up in awe at the sight that greeted him.
Chapter 6
It is said that a phoenix will rise from the ashes and become a stronger version of their past self. This was true, at least with Ember it was. That is exactly what she had done when she was a child, at least that is what she had been told by Morgan. That he had watched her rise from blue ashes, that had somehow appeared in Caspa. She wished she could remember something from her past. Wished that she could remember what her parents looked like.
Lately her dreams had been plagued with visions of dragons. Villages being burnt to crisp, as the great beasts flew over them. No, not villages, just one village. The same buildings were soaked in flames in every nightmare. Ember always had the feeling of running. Looking over her shoulder and watching her people burn. Hearing the screams as the flame of the dragon consumed them. And the dragon, the one that always appeared in her dreams, he was white. Pure white. Yet, when light connected with his scales they became a beautiful iridescent colour. Like pearls from the deepest seas.
She shuddered slightly as she pulled her fur cloak tighter around herself. He was the one that took her people from her, that caused the inferno that had played in her mind for the last week of sleep.
These dreams had stopped for some time. In fact, Ember couldn’t remember the last time she’d had them. Then one night they came back to her with a vengeance. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about them, she knew the boys suspected something. Obe especially, after all he did share a bed with her and most nights he would come and find her as she sat watching the stars that littered the clear skies of Caspa.
She had contemplated whether she should tell Morgan. He would be the best one to tell her what these dreams meant. But then that would mean admi
tting that they had been happening for a while and she wasn’t sure she was ready to face the wrath of the three of them.
“You know the stars are the same every night, Ember,” came Obe’s voice, causing her to sigh inwardly.
Every night he would come and find her, and every night she would tell him the same thing. That she was seeking comfort in the stars. She could sense that tonight she would not be able to use that excuse. Staying quiet she waited for him to speak, knowing that she wouldn’t have to wait long.
“So are you going to tell me the truth? The real reason you are coming out here every night. And don’t tell me it’s for some fresh air. It’s bloody cold. Our hut gets enough fresh air, but at least it keeps us warm. So, come on. Spill. Tell me what it is that is plaguing your mind.”
Ember shook her head slightly not looking at him as she spoke. “I’m fine, Obe.”
It was a lie, and Ember knew that Obe would not take that answer willingly. Not only that, but through their mental bond he would sense her pain, as would the other two. She was just grateful that they weren’t out here too, though she did wonder how long that would last.
A nudge to her side forced her to fix her gaze on her lover. The emerald eyes of the fae race stared back at her. Every time she looked into them she melted. He could always see right into her soul, just like Morgan could. But with Obe it was different. There was so much love held in the jewels of green and she felt her heart reach out for his and assure him like she always did that she too loved him.
Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology Page 101