Almahiel: "Well, if you win, we'll just have to wait and see about that, won’t we?" Without an immediate answer, the dwarves started to excitedly gather around Boldin.
The promise of such wealth seemed to be far too much of a tantalizing offer, as Scruff in particular feverishly shook Boldin around, excitedly mumbling nonsense in what appeared to be goading him on to accept the elf’s challenge. But he forgot who he was talking to. The Dwarven prince was far too rash to have possibly needed any encouragement from his friend, before slamming the table in excitement, and proudly saying.
Boldin: "I accept yer challenge, elf! So go on than, what’s yer challenge?!" The dwarf eagerly said with a wide grin, and the princess smiled at the dwarf’s confidence.
Almahiel: "My, aren't you a bold one? Accepting my challenge without so much as finding out the terms of it…-“ She said somewhat teasingly to worry the dwarves for a second before continuing, “-No need to fret though, I'm sure that you'll find the terms of it quite agreeable" She said while touching the rim of Boldin's rum filled goblet.
And not leaving them in too much suspense, she finally stated.
Almahiel: “A drinking challenge… And quite a simple one really. Whichever one of us two passes out first, loses." And with a boisterous laugh, the dwarf prince replied.
Boldin: "You think just because I'm a wee bit tipsy, that ye can drink me under the table?! HA!!! Just before we came here, me and me kin ere' drank a whole month’s worth of liquor in only a few days!" The elf pretended to be impressed when she responded.
Almahiel: "Oh my, that is impressive… Well then, there shouldn't be any complaints." She said pleasantly enough.
And proving it was all preemptively planned, Almahiel then started waving down the barkeep to bring over the drinks. The dwarves hardly cared, as all of them confidently grinned, eagerly awaiting the prize they were sure to win.
The two were a few hours into drinking contest, and to Boldin’s astonishment, the elf somehow seemed unfazed. And if they hadn't already, the dwarves which were gathered around the table were just about ready to collapse from drunkenness.
From countless drinks of liquor of all sorts, to the best of his abilities, Boldin was defiantly trying to keep alert, as he on occasion, appeared to be swatting at invisible flies.
After seeing the elves unchanged complexion, Scruff was the first to speak up in genuine surprise. The hairy dwarf started mumbling his usual nonsense, and letting out a taunting laugh towards his friend before slapping him on his back.
Upset when he looked back at Scruff, Boldin then exclaimed through his slurred speech.
Boldin: "I've told yez once, I’ve told yez a thousandz timez. No onez can understandz yas when ye ez drunk." His fumbled speech almost made Almahiel laugh.
And noticing the elf nearly laughed, Boldin, both genuinely impressed and frustrated, spoke while slurring his words.
Boldin: "Ye sure can hold yer liquorz." He said while taking yet another drink of booze.
The princess twirled her finger around the rim of her chalice innocently, as she answered him.
Almahiel: "…Who said anything about liquor?"
Her remarks were to the dwarf’s immediate surprise, as he abruptly spit out what he’d been drinking.
Boldin: "Eh?!?!" He managed to get out, nearly choking on his drink while he exclaimed aloud.
With a playful, yet mischievous smile, the elf determined it was about time she revealed what had happened.
Almahiel: "I already knew for some time, you and your fellow dwarves had no intention of fighting. So all I needed to do was go to the closest tavern in town before you did, and tell the barkeep beforehand to bring me their juices, and you dwarves their strongest liquor after I waved them down, upon my return." After hearing this, Boldin pointed his finger accusingly, defiantly saying back.
Boldin: "Yez tricked me!-" And with his consciousness fading, the dwarf said his final aggravated words on the matter, "-Dirty elfffzzzz-uuuggghh..." He managed to utter before falling backwards, hitting the ground, and being knocked out cold.
With a victorious smile, Almahiel gracefully stood up, and congratulated herself.
Almahiel: "Looks like I win!" She said lightheartedly, much to the disappointment of the only remaining conscience dwarf, Scruff, who continually hit his head against the table in frustration.
CHAPTER 56 – BEFORE THE STORM
Back at the West’s encampment, Obi and Theo had nearly made their way to the center of their camp before they were noticed by Raddington, who with his arms crossed, had been impatiently waiting. Seeing the demeanor of the general, Obi leaned over to Theo and whispered.
Obi: "Someone really should help him with that stick problem." And Theo struggled to contain his laughter before the general demandingly spoke to them.
Raddington: "Where were you? It's one thing to have time to yourself, but it's another for our army’s champion to be gone for hours on the eve of battle." Theo just gave Raddington a nervous smile in return.
After seeing his lackluster response, the general let out a sigh before continuing to say.
Raddington: "Maybe it would do us some good to have something ease the tension a little before the battle tomorrow…-’ He said curiously before gesturing to the others with him, and saying, “-Follow me." The general then turned to walk towards the town, as Obi, Theo, and a few of his officers followed behind his lead.
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A short while later, Raddington had led the group to the front of a tavern before turning to them, and saying with a hopeful grin.
Raddington: "With the constant battles, it feels like ages since I've had my last beer. Just one glass won't hurt!" He said while cracking the tavern door partially open, and freezing in his tracks.
A bit curious as to what could deserve such a response, Theo walked beside the general to see inside for himself.
Behind the tavern doors were the dwarves, all of which were passed out from drunkenness. Some of them were lying on the floors, others on the tables, and to everyone’s amazement, one of the passed out dwarves somehow managed to find themselves dangling from a chandelier twenty feet in the air. As they stared in amazement, suddenly the chandelier which hoisted the dwarf broke from its hinges, falling along with the dwarf to the ground, who let out a strange grunting sound upon hitting the floor.
It was a surreal sight, the likes of which nobody witnessing had ever seen before. And unintentionally making the moment even more awkward, Raddington slowly closed the tavern’s door, without so much as uttering a single word. The whole ordeal was like some kind of sign for Raddington to keep sober. Looking back at the group, the general let out a disheartened sigh before speaking with a defeated tone.
Raddington: "…On second thought, we're on the eve of battle, and it'd be irresponsible to drink right now. We must set a good example for the other men! Let's all head back to my tent, where we can discuss our preparations for the coming battle." He said with a false sense of duty before walking off, pretending as if nothing happened.
In fact, no one among them ever mentioned a word about what they'd seen, as they followed the general back to his camp. In the end, some things are better left unspoken.
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Back in the general’s war tent in their encampment, a wooden table was already set up for use before them to discuss the coming battle. Not needing any invitation, his officers took to their places after Raddington positioned himself at the head of the table.
The general of the West went into thorough detail about his army’s placement before the coming battle, and how he wanted his men to be positioned on the northern side of the Aelaan forces. Furthermore, he discussed having his spearman not only at the front pointing westward where the attack would likely come, but also at the southern front, facing towards the Aelaans. After Theo heard this, he asked Raddington back.
Theo: "Wait, I thought you didn't want us doing anything that could hinder th
e truce?" The general partially conceded when he replied.
Raddington: "By this point tomorrow, it will no longer matter, will it? Besides, it should give the Aelaans something to think about if they are considering to attack us before the coming battle. In the end, if and when the Darkness is defeated, we should expect the Aelaans to attack… It's in their nature, and I have no intentions of being caught off guard." Raddington wouldn't find any disagreements from anyone before he continued to speak.
Raddington: "Oh, and Theo, I have a special task in mind for you." He said seriously to the young man, who had fully earned his respect, as Obi immediately felt the need to protest.
Obi: "This sounds like trouble.-" And looking at Theo, he continued, "-Before you agree to anything, remember the promise you made. You said; you wouldn't do anything reckless." And the general sharply responded.
Raddington: “This is war! Theo, like every other man under my command, is putting their lives on the line for something greater than themselves!-" And in the heat of the moment, the general waved Obi away before exclaiming further, "-On second thought, go! You have no business being here anyway. We have battle plans to discuss, and I don't need my orders second guessed by someone who’s not even under my command!"
Angry after hearing this, Obi was stepping towards the general to protest further, but Theo blocked his path with his outstretched arm. The expression Theo made was neither angry nor disappointed, as he gave Obi a determined look, as if to say he’s fully prepared for whatever’s to come.
Caught off guard by Theo’s intervention, Obi backed off before looking down, and rubbing his head vigorously while grunting in frustration. When he looked back up to Theo, Obi put a hand on his shoulder before sternly speaking with concern.
Obi: "Just don't do anything needlessly crazy? Okay? I’m still holding out hope that both you, and Ira will come back out of this…-“ And with a rough shake, he said further, “-You hear me?!" Theo just nodded in return with an optimistic smile.
Theo: "Same goes for you..."
And after hearing him say this, Obi moved a little forward a few times over, but stopping himself every time. Something still clearly weighed on his mind, as he restrained himself, again, and again, as if coming to the conclusion the words he wanted to speak would also weigh Theo down if spoken. Finally stopping himself, he turned around and left, without offering any other word.
CHAPTER 57 – THE COMING DARKNESS
At the same time these plans were being discussed by Raddington and his men, on the southern side of the grasslands where the Aelaans camped, Razkaul was likewise in his own war tent, busy planning his own schemes. Unlike the majority of his army who awaited the coming fight by trying to rest, Razkaul wanted to use what was left of the suns light to discuss his plans. Surrounded by the chain of command beneath him, the Chosen was nearly finished making his preparations.
When one of his officer’s stepped forward, Razkaul stroked his pointed beard in contemplation before glancing at the man, and saying.
Razkaul: "It was foretold to us by the gods that in six years’ time, the Ehya would be under our banner." And with a sudden realization, he grinned before speaking further.
Razkaul: “This unknown threat is probably nothing more than some rogue human force. In the unlikely event it’s something else, it’s safe to say that these stories we’ve heard of the Beast are greatly exaggerated. There has been no greater army in history than the might of our own here, and now!" Now pointing to the captain of the scouts, Ephir, he said further.
Razkaul: "Send out our finest scouts to assess the true nature of this threat. Only once we've heard back from them, can we make appropriate plans."
One of Razkaul’s generals nervously stepped forward to offer another opinion on the situation. But before he could speak his mind, Razkaul’s glare back at him was enough to send him, and all the other men a clear message that he wasn’t interested in any other advice on the matter. Razkaul then turned his attention back to the Ephir to say demandingly.
Raddington: "You will personally go with your men to see the nature of this threat yourself! I expect results, Captain!-" And to solidify his point, he continued with a threatening tone, "-Do not disappoint me…" The captain gave a salute back before speaking.
Ephir: "It will be done my lord!" He said dutifully before hastily leaving.
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Night had already come by the time Ephir, and his fellow scouts had rode off atop their horses, heading west. With their captain included, there were a total of six men in total that pressed their horses forward. With only the light of the two moons above to guide them, the scouts rode through a small path, which cut through the heart of a small thicket.
The captain looked back towards the majority of his men behind him before speaking loudly, over the stomping of the horses’ hooves, as he said.
Ephir: "Men, we're only here to investigate the nature of this threat. By no means is anyone to engage!"
And with a synchronized response, all his men yelled back in unison, "Sir!"
After seeing his order was acknowledged, the captain turned his head back forward again. Only seconds upon him doing so, he heard a loud thud coming from behind. Looking back, he asked of his men.
Ephir: "What on Ehya was that?"
To his and the other scouts astonishment, they were all staring at a horse trailing in the back of their group, which was frantically galloping without its rider. The captain then demandingly asked of his men.
Ephir: "Where is he?! What happened to him?!" And immediately after speaking these words, a bellowing roar rushed passed him, followed by a loud thud coming from the front of the group.
Anxiously looking forward, the captain saw that all that remained of the rider up front, was his horse fleeing ahead of the group. His face grew pale in terror. Wide eyed, the captain yelled back to his remaining men in a panic.
Ephir: "Don't stop! Whatever you do, don't stop!" He said in a frenzied uneasiness, nudging his horse to pick up the pace.
Frantically looking around at the surrounding thicket, Ephir, and his men were all horrified of the unseen threat. As they should be.
One by one, the scouts were spirited away into the night.
The captain looked back at his last scout, who broke down pleading to him, and saying, "Captain! No! I don't want to die! Not like this! I don’t want to-" He’d never have the chance to finish.
To Ephir’s horror, he heard a booming roar as an enormous black figure jumped from the side of the path towards his last subordinate before landing over to the other thicket’s side. In an instant, he was gone, and Ephir was the only one left.
Alone and terrified, in a desperate gambit, Ephir redirected his horse to break free from the path. Heading deeper into the wooded brush.
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After some time, he let out some nervous laughter, surmising he may have escaped from the beast’s clutches. To his dismay, once he broke free of the trees and brushes of the thicket, his horse came to a sudden, and abrupt halt. Looking forward, Ephir saw that he had led his steed straight towards the precipice of a cliff.
As he looked down the cliff face, he once again heard a thunderous roar coming up from the thicket just behind him. His horse neighed in fright, bucking off its rider, and bolting off alone. Struggling to get to his feet, the captain looked at his fleeing horse in dismay while he exclaimed aloud.
Ephir: "Worthless creature! Get back here!" But his attention quickly turned back to the growling sound edging ever closer, from amongst the bushes.
Pulling out his sword, the captain’s arms were already shaking, as he stood to defend himself. The beast’s figure was shrouded by the coming night, but as it approached ever closer it was clear it was enormous. As if belonging to the darkness, the lion-like entity was shrouded in a potent black, which accompanied its piercing glowing white eyes.
The otherworldly presence approached the captain, inching closer, and
closer, until finally with an ear shattering roar, it leaped great bounds directly at Ephir, who let out a final scream in terror.
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It was already late into the night, as the Aelaa’s Chosen waited impatiently in his tent for the return of his scouting party. Razkaul's demeanor brought an unsettling tension to all the officers and guards who were present, with none of them daring to leave or speak up. To their relief, the sound of rustling horses, and men dismounting was heard just outside their tent.
The captain of the scouting party had returned, entering the tent alongside the five men who had ventured out with him to assess the threat. Ephir entered the tent with an optimistic smile, which had not gone unnoticed by everyone there. His outlook was a pleasant surprise to everyone in the tent, but none more so than their Chosen. With an accomplished grin, Razkaul leaned forward before asking of his captain.
Razkaul: "Out with it. What news do you bring with you?" Still smiling, the captain saluted back before answering.
Ephir: "Sir, it was as you said. The threat of the Darkness has been greatly exaggerated in the stories. We were even personally attacked by the Beast, but even with such small numbers, we were easily able to escape." He said while displaying one of his men, who had a large claw like rip on their clothing.
And brimming with confidence, the captain continued to deliver his report.
Ephir: “The Beast is alone, and after our brief skirmish, I believe you need not commit more than a hundred men to deal with it." He said almost gleefully.
The Chosen leaned back, nearly laughing before saying excitedly.
Razkaul: "That's not for you to decide, Captain! Nevertheless, I am amazed to hear such a creature actually exists!" And leaning forward with a knowing grin, he continued to say.
Razkaul: "However, it's as I suspected! With the gods blessings’, Aelaa is destined to rule the world in a few years’. From the stories I’ve heard of the creature, time seems to have taken its toll on it, while the power of our Empire has only increased." His grin turned sinister, as he said further.
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