Dragon Sword
Page 38
"Thank you, Telvidius. I'll meet you out there."
Jasper, Gill and Branwin followed closely behind her. It was Gill who spoke first, once they were out of earshot of Telvidius.
"Svana, you needn't worry. We will always have your back."
"Thank you, Gill. You are a great ally." She nodded appreciatively at him, and continued walking.
As they exited the castle again, a dark cloud descended over her conscious. She couldn't bring herself to think about killing anyone, not even those who deserved it.
What if it comes to that, what if I must kill the Caelestans? Or the Aequorans? These are my sister's people now. I can't...
She shook her head, fighting off the emotions and unwanted thoughts of killing for the sake of battle.
When they reached the main travel point on the road through Telluris, Svana demonstrated quick dodging moves to her men while they waited for Telvidius to come. She swung her blade around her head, and then sliced it through the air hitting the ground, and urged them to do the same.
The sun had barely started to fade before Telvidius appeared with the most fearsome army Svana could have hoped to see. Too bad there will be no use for them. I will bring about peace without death ... I must. Even though she had spent her time training her men to be better and quicker, all she could hope was that it would be for naught, and the whole event would be over before it started.
"Onward!" she called out to them and then led the way toward the Southern shores where she was told the armies were approaching. From her own journey, she knew it would be a good half day's travel until they reached the ocean, and she wondered how close the other armies were.
Svana's mind catapulted with thoughts about how she would talk to the other kingdoms, and what she would say. How would she react when she saw her sisters? She longed to hug them, even if it was for the last time before they became rulers in their own lands, but she knew she had to keep her feelings to herself. A commander of an entire kingdom of armies could not show weakness.
As the sun finally faded into the horizon, the tall willowy forms of the Caelestans could be seen approaching from the distance. Littered among them, were an equal amount of sea-foam green Aequorans. All had their weapons at the forefront, faces serious and stern.
Svana hurried out quickly in front of the Tellurians in a desperate effort to halt everyone where they were and plead her case for peace.
"People of Verdil!" she yelled loudly, "I have come to lead us not into battle, but to peace. I ask that you withdraw your weapons... take time now to air your grievances, and air on the side of peace. Only then will Verdil be restored to its former glory."
Several of the men on both sides lowered their weapons.
Just then the sound of horses running full gallop interrupted the interlude. King Armand, leading the charge ran over to them, bringing himself to a halt in front of Svana.
"Well, look at this charming little gathering we have here." His dark eyes searched the throng of people, though Svana had no idea what he was looking for. It was then that Svana spotted the bright brilliant emerald hair of her sister Astrid, and the glorious sapphire of her Hekla. Svana's heart soared just seeing them, but what were they doing in the middle of the battle with the soldiers. Shouldn't they be back in their kingdoms, plotting to take over?
"I've not come to fight but to make sure that no one from the sky or water leaves here alive. Svana of the Sword, it is your duty to make sure that they do not live. If you allow them to live, then don't ever come back to the palace, and don't ever show your face in Telluris again!" His words dripped with venom.
Emmeline galloped over on horseback from behind him on a beautiful, white horse. "No uncle, I thought you came out here to plead for her to bring peace! You told me you wanted to stop this battle!"
"Get back, stupid girl. I told you to stay behind." He backhanded Emmeline across the face.
Emmeline's eyes grew wide as she slid halfway off the saddle. Her feet slipped out of the stirrups and she clung to the saddle to readjust herself. She brought her hand to her lips and wiped, eyes widening as the back of her hand came back with blood.
"There will be nothing but death here today, yours included if you do not stay back," King Armand growled. "This is war, and this land... all of these lands, are mine. I will not rest until those who reside in them are dead. Do you understand me, Svana?"
Svana choked back a sob, there was no way she could bring herself to kill her sisters, but if she turned down the king in this moment, he would kill her in front of everyone.
She tried to meet Astrid's or Hekla's eyes, but could not see them from where she stood. They had to know Svana would never harm them in a million years.
"Svana, purge this land of these evil greedy mongrels who would take what is mine. Do you understand!" He raised his sword above his head, and in a threatening motion slowly started to drop it down. She knew that a blow from his sword would be meant for her.
Svana looked at Emmeline, wondering if it would be the last time she would look upon the woman's kind face.
Emmeline sobbed, tears trickling down her cheeks as she stared in fear at her uncle. "What has happened to you? You never used to be like this! Just stop! We cannot kill these people! You were like a father to me, I don't even know who you are anymore!"
"We can and we will! Now leave, foolish girl, or your body will join theirs!"
"Why have you changed so much? What happened to make you this way?"
The king nearly growled when he spoke again. "Get out of here, or you will be the first to die!”
Emmeline couldn't even meet Svana's eyes, she tugged the reins of the white stallion she rode, and took off back toward the castle.
It was some consolation to Svana that no matter what took place that day, at least for the time, Emmeline was safe.
Svana's plan to kill the king was going to have to happen in this moment. Or many, many lives would be lost. As she stole one last glance at her sisters, she prepared herself for what she had to do. Before she could react, King Armand slid off his horse, and growled as he rushed toward Svana. No one dared get in his way. Everything around Svana was silence.
A horn blared in the distance, and then another. A third shattered the silence as Svana raised her sword to deflect the King's. Metal clanged against metal all around her. Tellurian against Aequoran, Caelestan against Tellurian, and Svana's against King Armand's.
THE END
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Also by Angelique S. Anderson
The Dracosinum Series
The Dragon Lady
The Phoenix Lord
A Steampunk Christmas Carol
The Dragon Queen
Quincy’s Clockwork Chronicles
The Eden Series
Eden’s Serum
Eden’s Demise
Eden’s Child-Coming Soon
Little Lost Girl Series
Little Lost Girl: The Complete Series
The Redemption Series
Redemption of the Changed
Retribution of the Changed
Revolution of the Changed
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Clara’s Diary
Twisted Intentions
Stealing Ireland
Also By Craig A. Price
Calthoria Shorts
Chronicles of Starlyn
Heart of Ikchani
Victoria’s Grave
Claymore of Calthoria Trilogy
The Crimson Claymore
The Obsidian Arrow
The Violet Flamberge
Dragonia Empire
Dragonia: Rise of the Wyvern
Dragonia: Revenge of the Dragons
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bsp; Dragonia: Dragon Stone
Dragonia: Rise of Magic
Dragonia: Fall of the Dragons
Dragon’s Call Trilogy
Dragon Sword
Dragon Bow
Dragon Scepter
Red Rogue Trilogy
Way of Thieves
Dungeon Trap
Assassins Desire
Short Stories
Mage and the Freckled Frog
Diamonds Under a Hickory Tree
Anthologies
Fantastic Creatures
Glimpses
Pieces: A Mobile Writers Guild Anthology
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About Angelique Anderson
http://authorangeliqueanderson.com
Angelique S. Anderson is an award-winning author, mom to four, and lover of all animals. With a passion for writing since she was old enough to read, and a love for all things dragons and magical, the Chronicles of Narnia was her inspiration for her first middle-grade focused books. Now, after several years of writing various fiction, and a love for all genres, she hopes to create worlds where all ages can find escape. As a former foster child turned advocate, and against bullying, she tries to include bits and pieces of that in every story she writes. Her hope is that through her writing, people will find help, healing, and great storytelling.
About Craig A Price Jr
www.CraigAPrice.com/novels.html
Craig A. Price Jr. lives on the Alabama Gulf Coast with his beautiful wife and two sons. He lived in Washington state most of his life, but has also lived in Utah for four years during the winter Olympics. He has full custody of his son, and works full time as a pipefitter. He has finished 9 novels and has seen a lot of success on Wattpad, where his book The Crimson Claymore has seen over 2.5 million reads and was a featured read for over 2 years. On his free time he enjoys to write and read novels, especially of the fantasy genre.
He is your typical fantasy author: He has a beard, a typewriter, he enjoys the occasional tobacco from his long stem pipe, and he loves listening to classical music on his record player.