Defiled

by Elskidor Xell

  On each throne sat either King or Queen. The Elf Queen, Haelleenia, wore a circlet covered in gemstones of various colors around her head. Most of her long golden hair stay tucked behind her pointy ears, but random braids lie around her face overlapping her thin cheeks, and her bangs were silver and not yellow. Though rumored to be ancient beyond compare, Haelleenia did not appear old but presented a timeless beauty. Haelleenia's face held the essence of youth and flawlessness, her eyes both deep and dark, revealing a life span of many ages.

  The Dwarf King was quite old and looked it. His silver-gray hair lay about the sides of his thick wrinkled face and fell clumped together about his breast. Part of his silvery-gray beard lay on his lap, falling between his legs and nearly touched the ground. The King had brown eyes and broad shoulders and was shrouded in shining armor, necklaces, rings, and ornaments of wealth. Each relic was silver. A crown upon his head displayed the rarest of diamonds wrought of the wealthiest mines, which were forged into his regal crown of iridescent silver. He could be recognized by the diamond's glow alone, wearing a silver cloak about the side of his figure. Tiny silver gems had been sewn into Dwaven's cloak and throughout his garments. King Dwaven even had the jewels in his beard, so he sparkled from head to toe when he moved. Dwaven Van was his proper name, yet "The Silver King" was his fabled, most-often used title. The King did not disapprove since silver was his favorite form of wealth and beauty.

  Dwaven presented the essence of a rich, exquisite king who could fill the world with beautiful things and reminded all of the jollier times of prosperity. He gave his kindred and his allies whatever he had, from gold to silver, and he presented these things as freely as the wind blows in these times of need.

  Last, Lieulundrum Lancet sat upon his throne, straight and proud, much like the rest. He had a bold sense of honor and confidence in himself, expressing a healthy, generous heart, goodwill to all, and love for those who were different. He donned a gold gown only barely visible under his crimson cloak. A black velvet cape with silver edging encompassed the cloaks that hung from his broad shoulders. He held his head high, and his long brown hair flowed down. He also wore a royal crown, but his crown was not as exquisite as the Silver King's and donned no gleaming gems. His crown, smaller than Dwaven, yet larger than the elf's circlet, was a golden head-cap with a design wrought of black ore and silver. His crown was simple but spoke of authority and this King's love for honor beyond the love of beautiful things.

  Though each culture and lord possessed different values, together, they created balance in all the east through their leadership. Here in the palace, set apart from the rest of the realm, they decided the fate of their people. On this day, the lords and lady anticipated long counsel.

  ***

  "What I will share I do not completely understand, but this affects us all and is of the utmost importance," Darius said.

  "Speak," The Silver King instructed as he rose to his feet and strode toward Darius. Silver twinkled about his body as his bold boots pounded the glossy floor of fluorescent colors. The floor pulsated as he walked. "Tell us what you saw, Darius." Haelleenia and Lieulundrum also rose to their feet.

  "Or show us." Haelleenia said, as she flaunted her hands, presenting the orbs as she graced the floor with her weightless steps. Darius looked to the spheres and walked toward them.

  "Aye, that would work too, I suppose." After such a statement, Calysto and Magus interrupted with curious and disorderly questions until they were reminded to refrain from outbursts. This proved a monumental task for both of them, but they tried to keep quiet.

  After silence befell the room, Darius strode forth and rolled his hands over each of the globes. They pulsated to his touch. "I've been chasing a series of visions revealing a riddle I fear is terrible but cannot understand." As he told his story, the orbs grew dark and displayed his memories as he remembered. Visions and glimpses of Luminear and Bella flashed through the spheres, revealing various things. Albatros's eyes widened in astonishment as he watched. First as children, and again in Frenmere, to Garroth waterfalls, and Luminear's prison in Magwhen. The quick flashes paused when Darius recalled Luminear before the black cliffs. Enchanted, they watched her break the hold and open the black cliffs before her. "This woman, whoever she is, brought about our torment." What they were seeing was Luminear undoing the ancient spell. Only her. Icaz was not present the way he should have been, a fogged blur in his place.

  "Who is this woman?" Elzeenor asked.

  "I am certain of nothing, but she wields tremendous power. If not for seeing images of her childhood, I would say this can be none other than Damia herself." Darius faced Haelleenia and continued, "I don't understand. You claim she died three-thousand years ago," Darius said. Haelleenia merely smiled.

  "I stand by my claim. There is much left unanswered, yet I too am struggling to understand. This woman holds herself the same as Damia, but this is not her," Haelleenia said, confident in her assertion, but leaving everyone confused.

  "I do hope you'll find an answer soon, old friend," Darius said, before moving on once again. "She undid the seal. The man, or whatever it is, I cannot see. He or she is but a fuzz, and I think it's because he may not be what he appears. I keep fighting to uncover this mystery, and I keep failing." Looking into the orbs, it was clear something lingered near when this woman undid the spell, but nobody was visible to the spectators. After some time passed, Bella Luna came into view. She stabbed this blurred abnormality. Again, the globe flashed before the cliffs as the scene faded. "This haunts me," Darius said as the orbs went black. "She must be a Magirsum. The last of them somehow. That spell was unbreakable, I thought."

  "That is Luminear and Bella Luna. I know them both," Albatros finally said, surprising the rest. "I was near where this happened, but this, from her, is impossible. She was but a normal girl and later a prisoner."

  "Who?" Darius questioned as they all eyed Albatros. Albatros took a deep breath and exchanged glances with Elzeenor. Elzeenor felt his uneasiness and spoke first.

  "Albatros knew Bella and Luminear from his days serving the house Javalla in Murnia's Divoxian territories," Elzeenor said, but Albatros continued.

  "Laelliandir and Bella were sure Luminear was being used against her will. Neighraellium believed her to be of significant importance and led her into Tragmont after the Divoxian victory over the elves. I didn't believe she was a key to anything. She's only a woman. Poor lass, I still feel terrible for what came of her. I thought her dead. This cannot be possible. I've known her since she was a little girl, and she never seemed out of the ordinary," Albatros said. He shook his head in disbelief, then added, "And what of Laelliandir?"

  "He remains in confinement here as I attempt to heal his wounded mind. If this is possible, perhaps I can learn more about this infection," Haelleenia answered, putting Albatros’s next question to rest before it began. "Enough with Laelliandir Javalla, what else can you tell us, Albatros?"

  "Only what I said. The Luminear of my memory is a kind child, much like her sister. They got caught up in the Divoxian war. Normal sisters."

  "You will give us the full account of your knowledge, Albatros," said the Dwarf King next in frustration. "What of these girls?" All eyes fell on Albatros, realizing he might hold a key to the mystery.

  Albatros revealed who Bella and Luminear were and the part they played to his knowledge from Garroth, all the way to Crusayla. After Albatros mentioned Neighraellium's mysterious red medallion, Darius brought the same ornament from his pocket.

  "That vision I shared led me to this mysterious medallion. I found this relic right where my vision took me," Darius said as he walked before the Kings. He allowed them to observe it before coming to Haelleenia, giving her an extended view, knowing she of all beings might understand this trinket. Haelleenia looked over the relic and caressed the stone, feeling a slight tingle about her fingertips.

  "Wizardly made. This wonder possesses a high power," Haelleenia said as she took the medallion fro
m Darius's hand and raised it for all to behold. "Everyone now. Look up," she commanded them. Abruptly, they all raised their heads to stare up to the ceiling. "Look down," she instructed. Again, they followed her order, unable to resist her words. "As you were now," she said with a smile before handing Darius back his medallion, freeing them from its hold.

  "Give me that thing!" ordered the Silver King, who snatched it out of Darius's hand no sooner than the Queen had given it back. He flashed the medallion before everyone and told them to jump up and down. Unlike with the Elf Queen’s commands, nobody obeyed. Again, he said, "jump up and down," and again, his voice had no influence.

  Next, the mortal King took the medallion from his dwarf comrade and asked the company to look up and down, just as Haelleenia had, but still, the man had no influence. Questions bustled around the room, and a commotion stirred further disorder.

  "It's a magical trinket, my friends. I bet you weren’t aware of what it could do, Darius." Haelleenia removed the medallion from Lieulundrum's hand and placed it back into Darius's care.

  "I assuredly did not," Darius said.

  "How can you command it where we cannot?" asked the Silver King.

  "You don't possess the power to wield it. Darius likely does," Haelleenia answered.

  "Are ya a wizzy too?" Calysto asked the Elf Queen.

  "I keep many a magical relic at my disposal. I suppose I gained the knowledge to use them somewhere along the way." As difficult as this was to understand, Haelleenia would say no more. Darius understood far more about Haelleenia than any in this room, but he dared not reveal her secrets.

  "It holds the power of influence?" Elzeenor asked.

  "Obviously," added Amaud.

  "It is how Bella described," Albatros said.

  "Who are these women and how, and why would Neighraellium Javalla know they held such value if you did not, Albatros?" asked Elzeenor.

  "They are normal women," Albatros said again. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Not like this." They went over the account for several minutes, debating back and forth. Albatros defended his disbelief and even mentioned how in Tragmont, he dismissed the bizarre claim that Luminear was gifted. He admitted that now he questioned everything and that trying to figure out this riddle seemed impossible. The back and forth worsened before the High Elf Queen silenced everyone.

  "Stop now." However loud, her tone was graceful and got everyone’s attention. "To the eye, perhaps she appears harmless and ordinary, but it's plain to see the dark-haired woman possesses remarkable power. How or why you can ask all day and night. Where she is now is the question? Whoever wielded this medallion used her against her will. This potent spell was enough to unmake one of the greatest enchantments ever created," Haelleenia said. Despite the calm, peaceful tone, all in the room felt the urgency of her question. "This woman carries within her a gift so mighty we must learn what came of her. We will understand nothing until she is found. What else did you bring for us, Darius?" Haelleenia asked as she nodded at him.

  Darius recalled other vague images, and as he strolled his fingertips about the orbs, a new vision came to life. "These flashes transpired within this last month during my long journey here. Damia's forces are growing," he said.

  A dark land under the earth came to view with thousands of dratzels, pulslings, trolls, drymraiths, and fifty-foot giants along with horned, winged beasts that flew about. Parts of the earth appeared missing from below and above. It was a gaping land beneath the surface with no proper structure. A decrepit black castle appeared with twisty towers, sitting upon a single chunk of land, seemingly floating in the darkness. There was not even a bridge connected to the grounds surrounding the fortress. About the base of the stronghold laid sleeping dragons, massive and hideous, in various colors, and they lay in a deep sleep surrounding the menacing bastion of sorcery.

  "The Dark Realm, I imagine, as it is now, or will be in the future. Still gaining power, the ancient onyx are waiting and will surely join. The dragons have yet to waken. Down in those pits around the fortress are undoubtedly other beasts. The dratzel and pulsling are but pawns either to test the strength of the world, or Damia is using them while finding the power to waken her more potent servants. This is also why you cannot march back to Gormania and reclaim it, Magus," Darius turned to address the young man, then included the others. "The war is far from over. Her minions are many, and when the beasts that dwell in the deep awaken, they will lay all to ruin. Without the power of the magirsum, we would have lost ages past, but the magirsum don’t exist anymore." Darius interpreted his visions as best he could, also attempting to address unanswered questions lingering amid the company.

  In a few moments, Darius brought forth other visions. The scenes within the orbs shifted to Luminear, Bella, Markus, and Fern being hunted by a small pack of dratzels. Once more, the vision changed to a massive army of pulsling and dratzel alike charging by the thousands. "Now they are attacking Murnia, looking for Luminear by bringing a great army, I fear." Calysto recognized the scene as part of the Freelands.

  "Dey in the Freelands? Dats, Murnia!"

  "Damia is not only after you of Kaelliakie. I fear she has deployed an army to seek the woman who freed her minions. I suppose her sister too if they both are magirsum. They must be. I see no other explanation for what Luminear could do." The scene changed again and stopped with Luminear and Bella hiking alone on the backdrop of a village.

  Magus squinted his eyes to get a better look, realizing he recognized the place. Before he could speak up, the scene changed to being within a cave. It was furnished only with cots and a few personal belongings, giving a reason to believe they lived here. Once more, the image changed again, with the women in a village shopping in the marketplace. They appeared worried, and their voices came in distorted whispers from the orbs.

  "I don't understand. Is this happening now, or will it occur in the future? Why would Damia's minions bypass us to enter the Northern Realm of Murnia?" King Lieulundrum queried.

  "The women, clearly." Amaud Ujero barked. He didn't think much of this mortal King long before he ever had the displeasure to meet him. Amaud may have served the Kaelliakie alliance loyally. Still, he blamed King Lieulundrum Lancet. It was his foolish decision to keep Vigo the Curator as their original Head Commander. For this, he was guilty of making Amaud a widower.

  Elzeenor spoke up with his take on the situation. "Darius's visions are unclear. These are only clues, but if I am to guess, they aren't bypassing us. They are after this sorceress, but still after us, and they possess the numbers to do both.”

  "Indeed, my thoughts as well. Luminear had the power to unseal the charm that locked Damia's ancient enchantments away, but it was not of her own desire or will. Judging by what I've seen, Bella and Luminear are both decent folks caught up in something they don't understand," Darius said as he looked to Albatros for reassurance.

  "They are. They are not a part of this by choice," Albatros agreed.

  Darius nodded at Albatros before continuing. "Is there more to this?"

  Albatros shook his head. "Outside of who they are? No, I am not aware of anything that can help us understand this." Darius sighed.

  "Alas. Very unfortunate," said Dwaven.

  "I presume, on one hand, Damia fears this woman or wishes to use her as a potent force. This part is unclear, but on the other hand, she is fixed on the east, for here lies her biggest threat," Darius said.

  "She needs to be found to learn the truth," Haelleenia did not share her speculations, but asserted again, "This Luminear must be found. Perhaps she is the one that can end this. Until then, we will get no answers," Haelleenia said with quiet authority as she turned her back on the group. Her garments, pure white like the fallen snow, and her robes, layered in thin lustrous silks wrapping around her neck, brushed the ground as she walked back to her throne.

  "If this is true, and if Damia kills her or uses her first, we face a greater threat. Or perhaps Damia needs her. She is not as capable as she
once was. Maybe Damia hunts this woman to keep her safe from us?" Dwaven said.

  "No, she is fixated on destroying Kaelliakie and carrying out what she began a giant age ago. She does not understand what this woman is. She sees her as a potential threat or ally, but she does not understand her worth. I sense confusion," Haelleenia said.

  "If she is a potential threat, then we should kill her before she is turned into a weapon to be used. If Damia is not strong enough by herself, perhaps she intends to drain this woman of her power, and re-energize her own," said the Silver King.

  "You will not kill innocent women," Albatros demanded.

  "Aye, dat is go'en too far," Calysto agreed. Magus nodded too.

  "No. We will not kill the woman on mere theory. Unacceptable, my friend," Haelleenia said in response to the King's comments as she took a seat on her throne.