"You wish to bring peace?" his voice was stern.
"Indeed, your majesty. I am willing to do whatever it takes to do so." She fought back the strong urge to withdraw her bow and loose an arrow right through his shiny, pale forehead.
"Interesting," the king leaned forward on his fist, as if to think long and hard about what he wanted to do.
After quite a time, he finally spoke again. "Astrid, is it? Astrid, it has been many suns and moons since I have allowed anyone into my throne room who was an outsider. However, there is something about you I like. Perhaps it was because you killed an entire army to gain access here, or perhaps it is because the Grand Vizier permits you here. But I will tell you this: if you betray me... even in the slightest, I will have your head severed from your neck in a slow and painful way so you will wish you had died over and over again. Do you understand?"
Astrid had to stop herself from scoffing at the idea. He had no idea her talent with the bow or how quickly her dragon would come to her aid if he so much as raised a finger to harm a hair on her head.
"Yes, your majesty. I understand. Now please, enough with this beheading talk. Tell me, how can I be of service to you, my king?"
He gave her a look over, his eyes flashed lightening. "First of all, remove your bow and allow Ellowin to hold it while we talk."
Astrid nodded, taking it from its holder. She gingerly tossed it to Ellowin, whose eyes went wide as saucers the moment it was in his hands. She paid no attention to him as she was fully caught up in what the King had to say.
"I hope you understand my reasoning?"
Astrid nodded.
"Very well, Astrid, now, where were we? Oh yes," the King's whole demeanor relaxed, and he seemed at peace with her so close. "I am well aware of the name given to me by the Tellurian's, Astrid. At this moment, I will tell you I was not always heartless. When the wars first started between our kingdoms, I tried to make peace. I tried to fight for unity among our lands, I did everything in my power to do so. Aequoris and I, we made peace... we tried to fight against the Tellurians, but they were too powerful. Between their words and their swords, soon I found myself at war with the Aequorans as well and there was nothing I could do about it."
"Weren't you all friendly at one point? Why the sudden war? Why the sudden fighting?" Astrid asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I wish there was a simple answer, but there isn't. I know it started with famine, and the need for more. At least that was how our war with the Tellurians started. Once the Aequorans decided joining forces did nothing for them, and we were left to our own devices, that is when things went from bad to worse.I wanted peace. I fought for it, until the day my son's mutilated body started being sent to me piece by piece. Each bit of him left at the entrance of Caelestis. I won't try to hide it from you, I lost it then. I wanted every single Tellurian ripped limb from limb.Only there wasn't much I could do, my armies were not trained to fight as the Tellurians were. We were outnumbered, and dare I say, not as strong. We had to retreat until his head showed up."
"Who's head?"
"My only son's," he said somberly, eyes to the ground, his body unmoving.
Astrid's heart went out to him, as she tried to wrap her mind around what it would feel like to have her only son sent back to her piece by piece. "I can't say I would have held it together if the same were to happen to me, my king."
"Oh trust me, I didn't. I lost my mind, I had my men build the ballista you see throughout the kingdom. I had them launch cannons onto the Tellurians below. I sent them many times to fight the army at the base of the mountain, but every time I lost so many men, I decided it wasn't worth it anymore. Now, with you here with us, it seems we may stand a chance. A small chance, but even if we could only defend ourselves, it is more hope than we have at the moment. Will you help me? Will help train my men and go with them to fight the Tellurians? You have to see now, Astrid, but there is no peaceful solution. There will never be a peaceful solution until the land king is dead, surely you see?"
Astrid nodded her head. "I do see what you are saying, but I don't know if I can continue killing."
"Beautiful and brave Astrid, I assure you I am not asking you to kill. I only ask you help me stop the killing. I have lost so many men to King Armand. My only son, and my friends. If you can stop him, you can stop the war that was started, by no one other than himself. Do you not see it is he who is to blame for all of this?"
Astrid took a step back, thinking over all the things he had told her. It certainly makes sense. The Tellurians control most of the resources. If the land king feared losing that, I understand why that may drive him to want to war with the other kingdoms. He feared losing control.
"Please, Astrid, please be the head of my army... take my men, train them, and fight King Armand. Put an end to his reign of terror once and for all."
Astrid didn't like the alternative, and how much easier it would be for her to end King Bertram's throne right here and now, but with everything he had said, she was beginning to believe maybe King Armand was at the center of it all. Rotten seagulls, if only I could talk to my sister. I may have to just do this... and hope for the best. Svana, please be as strong and as intelligent as I know you to be. Or this could end badly for both of us.
"Very well, your majesty. I will do as you wish and become your general."
The king let out an audible sigh of relief. "Ellowin, return Astrid's bow. Give her the army and send her on her way. There is a light at the end of this darkness after all, and that light is Astrid."
Ellowin nodded, motioning for Astrid to follow him. He handed her back her bow, and as she glanced over her shoulder, she offered the king her most sincere smile. He had endured so much, she only hoped everything he had said was truth.
50
Svana
When life is chaotic and you don't know what to do, it's best to find a confidant. Sometimes it can be a good friend, other times it can be a lover, but being with someone you trust will bring you the clarity you need to continue.
King Everett the Honest, Second King of Caelestis, 335 A.V.
Svana followed Emmeline in silence back to the throne room as she pondered what the young woman had said about her uncle being better when he was a soldier. There was just something that didn't sit right with her, but Svana couldn't put a finger on it.
I suppose time will tell, for now I will do what I must. My service is to this kingdom and the surrounding kingdoms, not to its king. Svana held her head high as they entered the throne room, realizing that she could see the place a hundred times and its grandeur would never be lost on her.
"Emmeline, Svana! I welcome you both with open arms," the King said.
Svana bowed to him out of respect, but the angel-faced Emmeline proceeded up the steps right to him, bending to kiss him on the cheek.
"Always a delight, my exquisite niece, Emmeline. Svana... Svana of the Sword, as you are called. Word of your expertise has traveled far and wide. And quick, might I add. Gill has spoken of nothing but your exploits since your return. I am pleased with you, and with what you have brought to me. With your spoils, I wish to reward you with the title of company commander to all of my armies. Would you accept this honor and join me on my quest to conquer the lands?"
Svana took a step back, brushing her scarlet hair out of her face. She had been delighted with the idea of being head over his armies, but conquering the lands was not on her list of things she had hoped to accomplish. Is there a way to accept this, without accepting the other? She wondered.
Lingaria remained silent in her head, and that told her all she needed to know.
"Your majesty." Svana stood, and then bowed again. "I am honored to accept this role, but must only say this and then the decision is up to you. I wish nothing more than to help the kingdoms become what they once were, three separate kingdoms that were united in seeing the others flourish. When the kingdoms worked together, when there was peace, there was unity. I want to see that restored."
The King's eyes flashed with something dark and unrecognizable, his once calm and serene eyes that looked upon his niece were gone.
"Hmmm, indeed. Indeed." His face turned serious, and he looked off to the right of the room, clearly lost in thought.
Svana wanted to say something, but knew that the wrong word could lead to her death, and judging by the look on his face, it was clear she had said many wrong words. Instead, it was Emmeline who spoke up.
"Uncle, I have talked with Svana. She means no ill-will. She has trained soldiers, shown excellent leadership skills in bargaining and trade, and not to mention, animals like her."
With that, the rag-tag yellow dog that had followed Svana into the castle barked in agreement as if he understood what was being said.
"What is that mangy mutt doing here? Get him out of here this instant!" The King yelled, pointing toward the double doors to show that he wanted the dog removed.
A soldier near the door nodded and walked toward the mangy animal, shooing him out and down the hallway.
"I don't care if animals like her or not, dear niece. These talks of peace will not further my kingdom, they will stop its growth. How can we stand unified with three different lands, three different Kings, Svana? Do you not see the conflict of what you propose? The only way to find peace, to find unity, is to conquer them all and have one leader. One king to rule over them."
Emmeline's face drained of color, the act of which told Svana that Emmeline had no idea of her uncle's true corruption until that very moment.
"Now," the King continued, "if you wish to see the kingdoms united, then I suggest you accept the position I have given you and join me on my quest to overthrow the kings and take over all kingdoms. If you choose not to aid me, then I have no further use for you." At the last of his words, his eyes darkened and Svana knew that he meant to kill her if she did not accept his proposal.
"Very well, my king. You have my loyalty. I shall serve you in this way." Svana bowed again, and then stood, turning her back, when Gill rushed to her side.
"If you betray me, yours will be a fate worse than death," the King called after her.
Svana didn't bother to turn and acknowledge him, only nodded her head and began her departure away from the throne room.
"Svana, are you sure about this?" Gill whispered low, when they were out of earshot of the king.
"Yes, I am sure about this. If there is to be anyone in that position to side with the king to take over the other kingdoms, I would rather it be me. At least I know that I will do everything in my power to protect and save those who I can.
"Once word travels that the king has elected a red-haired goddess to lead the armies, you will have many enemies wherever you go. There were many skilled soldiers more equipped for that position than you."
"Excuse me?" Svana said indignantly.
"I mean--that is not what I meant. In their eyes, Svana... you are a stranger, an outcast. They will not understand his position or why he chose you."
"Then let word travel that I fight with a sword of magic, and that Palladin the Great has sent me. That should send them shaking in their boots."
"If only it were that easy." Gill lowered his dark-haired head, and glanced to the ground as they strolled.
Svana wondered what it would mean for her and her scaly-skinned side-kick if the soldiers were to turn their backs on her. No matter, I took this journey on my own and will continue it on my own.
You are not completely alone, Svana. I am with you, always, Lingaria's voice whispered into her mind.
She nodded her head silently, so as not to alert Gill to the internal conversation as they walked. They soon exited the castle and ended up in the courtyard. The red-haired freckle-faced squire that had helped them before, was nowhere to be seen. Svana's cobalt eyes contrasted against her red hair as she searched for Jasper and Branwin's familiar face.
"I wonder where Branwin and Jasper have gone off too."
"They're probably off tending to Duggary. There are certain preparations to be made." Gill let out a loose sigh, looking over his shoulder toward the castle entryway.
"Do you wish to join them?" Her voice low, understanding.
"I do, he was my friend... and mentor."
Svana nodded, wishing she could offer some sort of encouragement to him. "Then, please, go. I wish to acquaint myself with the kingdom and its people. I shall return soon."
"I think that is wise, but Svana, please... watch your back. Be on guard at all times. I will alert Branwin and Jasper to the king's decision. You will have our loyalty always, but I can't guarantee that everyone will feel the same way."
"Thank you, Gill." She placed her hand on his shoulder, and squeezed in friendly reassurance. "I will serve you and the people of Telluris with honor."
When their gaze lingered just a little too long, Svana turned her face away abruptly and headed back out of the marketplace toward the villages of Telluris. The road leading away from the castle was already feeling more like home to her, and to her delight that the yellow haired dog had found his way to her side again. She bent down to scratch his ears.
"I already told you, you can't keep it," Lingaria's adamant voice sounded none-too-pleased.
"Oh, come on, what are you worried about? A little friendly competition?" she teased him.
Lingaria emitted a slow grumble. She tossed her hair back, kissing the dog on the nose. As she stood, the sound of an arrow whizzed past her. She turned her head to watch the arrow bounce off a stone wall as Lingaria's talons dug into her shoulder.
"Pay attention, Svana!"
"Lingaria, go back into the sword, people will see you!"
"Nonsense, I am masked. No one can see me or hear me but you." His talons dug in deeper into her shoulder.
"Ow! Not so tight!"
"I was trying to get your attention... look there, by that tree."
Svana peered ahead of her, just past the chained Toverak that growled and roared as she got closer. She saw two large oaks on either side of the road just as the path narrowed, leading away from the castle. Try as she might, she couldn't see what Lingaria was talking about until another arrow came flying at her from behind the tree. She saw a hint of jet black locks ducking behind the tree trunk.
"Hey, knock it off!" she yelled.
Sudden fierce yelling from the left of her caught her attention, and as she turned to see what made the noise, two men who had hidden behind the overgrown brush came catapulting out, headed straight for her. The dark-skinned Tellurians were unequal to her stature. They stood much taller and much wider than she.
Without a thought, Svana drew her sword, brandishing it at them.
"Back off. I don't want to kill you."
The two men stopped abruptly in their tracks, and she felt another arrow whistle by her side. Afraid to take her attention off the men who were likely to attack her at any moment, she yelled loudly for the marksman to hear, "you're not a very skilled archer, are you?"
He yelled back at her, but she couldn't make out what he said.
"And such a whizz with words too? I'm truly amazed!"
Svana tried to agitate him and hoped it would work out to her advantage. Sure enough, she could hear his angry quickened footsteps approaching. Keeping her ear attuned to him, and her eyes focused forward, she brandished her sword again.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
The dark men had no chance to answer. A sudden yell behind Svana told her a marksman was about to lunge. In one gallant movement, Svana thrust her sword out, and as if practicing ballet, stood on her tip-toes as she swirled around in one quick movement. She felt his flesh tear as her blade met the marksman's body.
He yelled out as he fell to the ground. With her eyes back on her other would be attackers, she took several careful steps backward until she nearly tripped over the man's body. Stepping on his chest, she held her blade out to the other two, while looking down into the pained eyes of the one who had loosed his arr
ows at her.
His yellow hair and nearly black eyes stunned her into silence momentarily as she got her grip.
"Listen here, I don't know who any of you are, or what you want, or why you're trying to kill me. I am the new captain of the guard, and if you do not wish for me to throw you in the stocks, then I suggest you calm yourselves right now and explain to me why the three of you want me dead.
The man underfoot groaned, and then in a quick unpredicted action, grabbed her sword and plunged it into his chest. His body convulsing with the shock of the blade as he did so. He groaned loud, and then his head turned sideways as he breathed his last breath.
Shocked by his reaction, Svana quickly withdrew her sword and waved it at the men who had been bent on attacking her. Though they stood still as stone.
"Were you three working together? Did you put him up to this?"
The slightly taller one shook his head, his chestnut eyes wide with concern.
"Then tell me," she continued, "What is going on? Why did he do that? And why were you attacking me?"
"I am Captain Telvidius, head captain of the king's armies, and right hand to the king himself."
"And?" she asked.
"It should have been me. I should have been the one appointed head general. To fall rank below a woman? It's... it's just ridiculous! I have been loyal to the king for years. How could he appoint you, a woman he doesn't know, to be head Commander?"
"Is that this man's problem as well?" She shook her blade at the dead archer below her, as she stepped off his chest, over the puddle of crimson that had formed around his body.
"I don't know, I don't recognize him." Telvidius flinched. "No one is happy with the king's choice. You shouldn't even be here." Storm clouds brewed in his eyes, and his face had reddened with anger. He ran his rough hands through his long, onyx black hair.
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