“We are not as beautiful as the pureblood, but don’t you ever speak of us like that again!” Tamina growled face to face with Queen Menina. She turned away from her and walked a few steps. “I know it must be hard, not ever seeing one of our kind,” Tamina chuckled, “Your true self.” Queen Menina held her face where Tamina slapped her. “I’m sorry, Aynisa.” She walked back over to Queen Menina and took her hands, “I should not have struck you. Your disgust brought back old memories, the purebloods were cruel to us. They were always so beautiful in their true forms that men, elves, dwarves, all the races fell to their knees in worship of them. We were not so pretty to the other races, we had to change our form to hide among the humans, the rest of them. Your mother was the prettiest of us, they thought her a Vordalyn.”
“Venalina? Is she like me? Like this?” Queen Menina asked.
“No. She is a mother, the most powerful and beautiful of us all. If she were ever to access her vessel, we would be… in trouble.” Tamina said.
“Will you show me your true form?” Queen Menina asked, “Can I change mine?”
“We do have the ability to change our forms, it’s why you appear human. You must learn the words to undo what your mother did to mask your true self. Then you may take any form you wish.” Tamina said.
“Yes, she told me, but she didn’t show me what I looked like.” Queen Menina said suddenly angered. “Venalina has to be dealt with.” She said.
“Venalina?” Tamina stepped toward Queen Menina, “You wish to deal with Venalina?” Tamina’s face was serious and concerned. “You had better stay clear of her, Aynisa. Her mother was Ashavera, one of the very strongest of our kind, even more than that, Venalina is destined to be the next Vordalyn Queen. She is too powerful for us to simply, deal, with. She can perhaps be bargained with? But do not antagonize her until we decide our course of action. We must first determine if she has taken her vessel, if indeed one existed for her.”
“Dhysevera’s sister?” Queen Menina asked.
“Yes, I take it your mother told you of the sisters?” She asked. Queen Menina nodded.
“So, she is born of royalty like me?” Queen Menina asked rhetorically.
“Oh, sweet Aynisa, she is not like us.” Tamina shook her head, “She is much more than we can be. Our bloodline is that of the lower caste, we clawed and fought to take this land. We made a deal-”
“My mother told me all that, but what of her bloodline? What makes her so different from us?” Queen Menina asked.
“She is born with a power more than we can ever achieve, our only ally is that she may have yet to access a vessel as I said, her mother was destroyed when she was too young. She knows very little of us, or her own kind. I don’t think her mother was able to make a vessel before her murder.” Tamina explained.
“Her mother was murdered? How?” Queen Menina asked.
“Really, Aynisa, is it important?” Tamina asked.
“I want to know what drives her, tell me?” Queen Menina asked again.
“I don’t see how it will help you.” Tamina shook her head but relented, “Ashavera was torn to pieces in the forest, by men. They used their bare hands to rip her flesh from her body, her wings from her back, it was a very horrible death.” She looked down as she spoke remembering the scene, “Venalina hid in a tree and watched the brutality of it all. After that, Venalina hid from the world, frightened and scared.”
“In caves… How did she come to meet my brother? I know my mother set this in motion, but how did it happen, it was your doing was it not?” Queen Menina asked.
“It was.” Tamina smiled, “I led Terrax to Venalina, your brother was dogging Terrax, I knew they would come upon them in her home. Her cave. And there, your mothers plan would take hold.”
“She lived in a cave?” Queen Menina asked.
“Yes, after the wars and the death of the mighty Queen Dhysevera, Ashavera took her daughter and hid her away.” Tamina sat down on a nearby bench, “The wars were devastating, and the priests were very effective in their work, tracking and killing most of our kind. You know what your mother did, but in the lands of Sumia all of those who were left, tried to continue the fight, but with Dhysevera dead and Ashavera in hiding, there was little hope with so many races against them.” Queen Menina had a flash of the council of races. She narrowed her eyes at Tamina.
“Them? The other races?” Queen Menina asked.
“Yes, the council of races. Before they became the council, they allied with Ayana, followed her here to Ganlin, outside the reach of Dhysevera’s magic and yet protected by it. The war waged on behind us, in Sumia. The Vordalyn lost. Some of our alliance chose to stay in Sumia, eradicating our kind, the Vordalyn. Sumia is not the same as when we left, those thousand years ago, for they now see Vordalyn and Kina as the same. Kina is what they called us, the lower caste, but we are Vordalyn. Few know the truth of that time, some still alive on the council, me.” Tamina smiled.
“We turned on our own?” Queen Menina asked, Tamina’s face changed.
“She didn’t tell you?” Tamina asked.
“She told me, but I didn’t know we are the same? A thousand years? How old am I?” Queen Menina stepped off the path and through a patch of flowers. She dropped her hands so that they touched the flower heads.
“Time does not pass for us as it does for the other races, Aynisa.” Tamina said, “Almost everyone from that time is dead.”
“And Venalina?” She began to think about Venalina growing up in a cave, how many years alone and afraid in a cave. Once meant to be Queen of the Vordalyn, a dead people. Only Venalina, Tamina, and Queen Menina. Were they all that were left? “Are we alone, the three of us?” Queen Menina turned back to Tamina, who looked down after the question was asked.
“I can’t say for sure.” She said.
“We will not antagonize her. Do you think she will talk with us?” Queen Menina asked.
“I’m not sure, when I first made contact with her it ended in a fight.” Tamina stood from the bench, purposely omitting the fact that she tried to kill Dracon, “But I also freed her when she was captured. So, she might, considering that? What do you have in mind? She is weak Aynisa, we can crush her, provided no vessel has been attained. She is no better than any other creature that scurries in the darkness of a cave.” Tamina laughed, “She lost her mother so long ago, I doubt she remembers her face. She is a feral creature, untrained, wild, like a dog. No vessel to access, I’m sure of it. She will never reach what was once intended for her. She has no idea how old she is, or how many years she was in those caves, she does not understand the world as we do, Aynisa. This is our world. But we must be cautious and determine if a vessel exists for her and if she knows of it.”
“But she is one of us all the same. After what you’ve told me I don’t think I wish her any harm.” Queen Menina said, “I wish to find a way to find a balance with her. Maybe even with Dracon.”
“No!” Tamina said adamantly opposed to any such thing. “We fought hard to win these lands! It is your birthright, hers is a dead land far from here! You cannot hand it over to Dracon, let alone her! Make her bow to you! She is weak!” Queen Menina shook her head.
“This is my kingdom, Ina, make no mistake. But I can’t help to feel we shouldn’t fight her, a sister to me?” Again, Queen Menina shook her head, “I will not allow harm to come to her. I will find another way.”
“If you are not careful, she may not feel the same and come for you! The High Blood despise us, Aynisa but together we can take her, we must act! We have to kill her before it becomes impossible to do! Make no mistake, she is no sister to you, Aynisa!” Tamina said with a snarl.
“I am no fool!” Queen Menina snapped back, “I will act when I must! Nothing can be done until we determine the status of her vessel, you said so yourself. Until then, we must be patient! We will be patient.” Tamina softened immediately.
“You are you’re mother’s child.” She smiled, “So strong willed.”
Queen Menina stuck her chin out, then straightened up, tall and proud at her aunt’s declaration. Inside, she felt remorse once again for her mother’s loss. She spent time with her like no other time in her life, years within the space between time.
“I have been warned, I will see what is to come and act accordingly. If this cave girl wishes to come for us. We will act. Until then, let’s see if we can befriend her. Bring her to us, as an ally. She knows we are the same and she has yet to reveal us to my brother. There is hope in that. If she is as feral as you say, she can be manipulated, yes?”
“You still call him your brother?” Tamina asked with a scowl of disbelief.
“He is, and forever will be… my brother.” Queen Menina whispered.
Chapter Ten
Dracon swung is Unholy Reaver cleaving the demonic hordes in to pieces. They sizzled and screeched as the blade’s acidic touch burned through their bodies. Piles of the dead filled the areas behind him as he dropped creature after creature, ever moving forward, fueled by a blood lust that emanated from within him and the sentience of the blade. It whispered in his head like his own thoughts and desires, begging to be fed the flesh of his enemies. The field of battle was deafening with the roar of the creatures surrounding him. In the empty wastelands, Dracon fought alone against hordes of humanoid creatures, the likes of which he had never seen before. They were no match for him. He had become one with his Unholy Reaver and his demonic armor of fear, an extension of himself making him invincible. He did not tire, every kill brought him to the edge of pure euphoria. The more he fought, the more the sounds of battle changed around him, no longer was he alone, joined by his trusted friend Satana. She was accompanied by a horde of creatures who fought at her side, aiding not only her, but Dracon as well. With the new support at his side Dracon turned his attention across the field at the rows of infantry that marched toward him. Men, dressed in familiar armor, spears at the ready, bearing down on him. A horn sounded from behind Dracon as he marched toward the men. It was the battlemages of the Priests of O’on casting spells and preparing shields. Creatures were summoned in the air above them that dove down at the enemies across from Dracon. In a flash, he was in the midst of battle, again surrounded by a sea of enemies. He roared a battle cry accompanied by a swing of his mighty Unholy Reaver cutting man, sword, and shield alike effortlessly. He could hear Satana calling out commands to the creatures that rushed headlong into battle, clashing shield against shield with the men who stood against them. Dracon snarled, but not in anger, or fear. It was pleasure that caused his growl. He swung his sword moving forward through the rows of men before him, steadily cutting his way through their ranks. Men ran in fear of his armor and his might. Men of Ganlin. Dracon was blind to the identity of his foe, only men who had dared to stand against him and his mighty horde that bowed to him! Their Dark Lord! A winged beast flew past Dracon inches from his side grabbing a man who was charging at Dracon. It grabbed him with its black taloned claws, tearing him to pieces as its flight took the beast upward, raining down the body parts on his comrades below. Dracon raised his Unholy Reaver high in the air and yelled at the men and creatures that followed him, “Rip them to pieces! Let no head remain on their bodies! Bring them all to me!” He commanded. The clash of the two armies crashing against one another filled the air with metal on metal clangs, accompanied by the screams of the dying and those fleeing in fear in the face of their doom.
Venalina sat up from Dracon’s neck and whipped her head back, throwing her hair from her face. She straddled him and rubbed her hands on his bare chest. She panted from feeding so long without taking a breath. Her eyes were solid black. She licked her lips and moaned in pleasure from his taste. Dracon growled and twitched beneath her, she knew he was having visions and what those visions were. Her mighty Dracon dominating the world. It pleased her. She caught her breath and looked around the bed at her protégé’s, all standing in awe, watching their mistress feed on King Dracon while making love to him. Venalina lolled her head to the side, catching sight of Kaylin. She reached her hand out, “Come, share with me all that you are.” She said from atop Dracon’s sleeping body. Talila rushed to Venalina and Dracon on the bed, eagerly, before her sister could make a move. Venalina hissed and stuck her hand out at Talila then levitated her violently off the floor, right into her out stretched hand which fit neatly around her throat. Venalina shoved Talila down on top of Dracon’s chest so that she was on her back facing up at Venalina. She growled at Talila and squeezed her hand choking her, making Talila gasp for air. “Impatient,” She growled looking down at Talila with her black eyes. Venalina’s teeth became fangs as she spoke, “Impatient girl,” She said again as her horns slowly grew from her head, curling around like those of a ram, “In a ritual, you must learn to obey me, I called for Kaylin, not you!” She growled putting her face close to Talila’s. Venalina bared her teeth like a wild animal that was about to bite. Saliva dripped from her mouth on to Talila’s cheek, anticipating the taste of the girl’s essence. Venalina stared at Talila as she choked her gently. She lightened her grip, allowing her to breathe. “Impatient.” she said once again in a whisper. Venalina kissed Talila’s lips, “Obey me.” She said with her lips still pressed against Talila’s mouth. Talila calmed her breathing and nodded her head, eagerness still exuded from her. It made Venalina smile. Even in the face of harm, Talila did not blink. “Become one with him.” She said and helped Talila up. Venalina slid off Dracon, then motioned for Talila to take her place atop him. When she did, Venalina tilted Talila’s head back and fed on her, as Talila began to make love to Dracon.
Dracon climbed the cliffs with powerful hands that grabbed the cracks in the rock face, pulling himself up inch by inch. When he reached the top, he stood in complete darkness. He couldn’t see the ground beneath his feet and yet he walked on. He knew there was someone waiting for him. The sun suddenly shone down brightly on him and he could feel the heat of it on his face. He was blinded by the light as he walked forcing him to look down at his feet. The ground was dirt and rock. He could hear the shrieking of creatures all around him but had no fear. The world around him changed, he stood on the overlook that border Dwerma and Eastmount. His brothers and sister were shoulder to shoulder further up the road from him.
“We share blood you and I, so I give you on chance. Leave Ganlin for all time, or you will force us to kill you.” Said Queen Menina, stepping forward. Prince Charnio joined her.
“You are not my brother.” He said and looked down in shame, then glanced at Queen Menina. Prince Charnio nodded to Prince Renic.
“Archers!” Prince Renic called out around him. Elven Archers appeared out of nowhere, pulling back the strings of their bows, aiming their arrows at Dracon. Satana appeared at Dracon’s side, a smile stretched across his lips.
“Your orders my lord?” She asked, standing ready with her sword in hand.
‘Kill them all’, His Unholy Reaver spoke to him, “Kill them all,” Dracon repeated in a growl, “Kill them all!” He yelled, raising his weapon high above him. Roars and growls from the creatures behind him sounded on the wind. His demonic armor appeared, covering him head to toe. Creatures of all kind rushed passed Dracon at his siblings.
“Shields!” Prince Darrin called out to the warriors of Ganlin that suddenly rushed from behind the siblings to face Dracon. Queen Menina flashed her magic with a blinding white light.
Dracon awoke in his bed panting, out of breath, almost choking. He sat up quickly to stop from throwing up in his own mouth. He was covered in sweat. The sun shined through the open balcony doors. He was confused, lost, oblivious to where he was. It took a few minutes of lying on the edge of his bed waiting to throw up on the floor, to get his head together. The urge to throw up faded. He scanned the room, finding a pitcher of water he desperately wanted, on a table near the door. He licked his lips and swallowed. His throat was dry, devoid of saliva. He fell back in bed taking slow deep breaths. The door opened and Saida entered. Dracon sat up
on his elbow and watched her as she walked across the room to the Balcony doors then shut them. She was wearing a black night gown, that reminded him of Venalina. He was sure it belonged to Venalina. He had a flash of Saida in bed with him and Venalina, it bordered upon being a memory. The thought stirred a desire for her, making him flush with embarrassment almost instantly for what he was thinking. He tried to recall any part of his dream that she was in, why did he feel like he had been with her? Why the memory? He could picture her naked body writhing beneath him.
“Good day, my king.” She greeted him, then went to the pitcher, sensing his thirst. She poured him a glass of water then brought it to him and sat on the edge of the bed. Dracon drank it all at once. Saida ran her fingers through his hair as he drank. It aroused Dracon to a shiver.
“What are you doing, Saida?” He asked handing her the glass. She continued stroking his hair a moment longer, watching him with a knowing smile then took the glass. Dracon watched her curiously, something was different about her.
“Attending my king.” She said then stood from the bed and got him another glass of water. Saida turned back to him from the table and said, “You really shouldn’t sleep with that thing in your bed, my love.” Dracon looked to his side and there lie his Unholy Reaver. He looked back at her curiously.
“What did you call me?” He asked. She walked over and handed him the glass.
“My King.” She sat again on the beds edge, “Are you hungry?” Dracon looked at the sword again and tried to remember how it got there. He remembered that after he killed the Naga in the lair of the Gyona, he left the sword stabbed into the ground up to its hilt. He left it in the cave when they escaped, but later it returned on its own to his side once again. Like his armor, both created for him by Venalina, it came to him when called, by way of the amulet Venalina had given him. Did he call for it during the night while in the midst of those horrible dreams? Dreams that portrayed him as evil as Terrax that he himself had vanquished. It disturbed him, the flood of memory of all that had transpired in his dreams.
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