“We could have used you in the field, Menina. I had no idea magic could be more than just shields and fireballs.” He said slightly less angry.
“It’s reach knows no bounds, little brother.” She said then motioned for him to carry out her orders.
Chapter Forty
“Ask him where they went and what she said to him before she left!” Dracon ordered Grik. They were on the palace grounds, no longer on the wall, standing in the entryway of the palace gates. Um’Vec stood staring at Dracon, who stared right back. Um’Vec had no intention of letting himself be killed without a fight. He could see Dracon was angry with him, but he did not know why. Grik nodded and thought for a moment, his left hand was fiddling with an ornament in his long, muddy beard as he thought.
“Where did the girl go?” Grik asked Um’Vec. He was reluctant to look away from Dracon, but after a moment he looked down at Grik, who was very small to him.
“She did not say.” He grumbled.
“What did she say, then?” Grik asked. Um’Vec narrowed his eyes.
“Stay by his side.” Um’Vec replied, looking once again at Dracon and pointing over at him.
Talila reappeared at the top of the wall, at the very spot she disappeared from. Satana was still there keeping a look out. Satana was not alarmed in the slightest at her sudden appearance. She looked over the edge of the wall.
“She’s back.” She yelled down to Dracon. Talila was still in her Vordalyn form. “You know, I almost thought you were Venalina for a moment.” Talila smirked, trying to stifle a full smile, but she did enjoy the compliment. After all, she wanted to be like her in every way, that someone confused the two of them, made her even more a sister to her. It pleased her. Talila walked to the edge of the wall and looked down at Dracon, then teleported next to him. When she reappeared, she was in her human form.
“Where did you go? Where are your sisters.” Dracon asked.
“We need to talk,” She said putting her hands on his forearm, “Now.”
“Here they come.” Satana alerted them from the top of the wall. Talila’s eyes widened.
“It’s going to have to wait.” Dracon said looking over at Grik then nodding. Grik turned and began shouting orders to his men. “We’ll have to improvise.”
“You can’t fight yet, we have to talk first!” Talila said desperately. Dracon took her face in his hands.
“Talila, there is no way around this, it happens now, whether we are ready or not.” He said. Talila bit her lip and nodded her understanding. “Take him,” He pointed at Um’Vec “And go back to the remainder of his hordes, get them ready, then come back to me, quick as you can.”
“Ok.” She said grabbing his face, then leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him, “I love you, my husband.” She said with a smile. A smile spread across his face.
“Go… wife.” He said then let go of her. Talila backed away from him, biting her lip, all the while giving him a seductive, playful smile. She turned to Um’Vec and touched his leg, then the two vanished.
“Your sister is leading them.” Satana informed Dracon. He called over to Grik.
“Do not kill her. My family is not to be harmed.” He said, Grik nodded and joined his men. Dracon turned and walked to the center of the open palace gates.
“Hey!” Satana called down to Dracon making him look up at her, above him on the palace walls, “How’s he supposed to know who your family is?” She asked.
That was a good question, Dracon shook his head to himself. He watched as Queen Menina rounded the bend atop her horse, followed by the princes and what appeared to be members of each race that resided in Ganlin, behind them, soldiers filled every open space, in vast numbers. The city was full, so full, the men seemed to be shoved in shoulder to shoulder. He thought it was odd that they would bunch themselves in such a fashion. Curious. He walked out from under the palace gates, to the road just beyond and stood, some twenty feet ahead of them. Waiting.
The forces of Ganlin halted, leaving Queen Menina to continue alone. Prince Charnio followed her a few yards then he too stopped at her command, and, as was his nature, under much protest. Dracon walked down the road to his approaching sister, on foot, while she sat atop her horse, at a slow trot. Dracon could see a brief, slight, shimmer in the air. He turned back and looked up at the wall, above the gates, where Satana watched on. She stared at the forces of Ganlin, less than two hundred paces from her. She did not seem to notice the shimmer, neither did anyone else behind Dracon. He turned back to Queen Menina and continued toward her, pondering all the while, what it was that he just saw. Was it his ability to see things, others could not? A residual gift from Venalina? His heart felt a sudden heaviness at the thought of her, oh, how he missed her. He had a memory of when they took on the hundreds of priests of O’on alone. Could he do this now without her? Then, he did not have his amulet, only Venalina. Dracon had an urge to reach up and touch his amulet, just to make sure it was there, but stifled that urge.
“It’s always so sunny in Dwerma, it’s turning into a comfortable afternoon, wouldn’t you say?” Queen Menina asked as they neared close enough to each other not to have to yell.
“Would you care to join me inside for a glass of wine? Maybe sit in the palace park? I hear it’s very beautiful this time of day.” Dracon responded. He stopped walking and crossed his arms over his chest. “I am assuming you are here to tell me who it was that planned the assassination of my wife?” Queen Menina dismounted and Dracon chuckled at her, wearing a crown and a long white dress, as if she were sitting on the throne in Urixis and not a horse.
“I suppose you find it funny that I ride out to meet you, ahead of your warrior, battle hardened brothers?” Queen Menina asked of his laugh.
“No, Menina, not at all. However, I do find your attire, less than appropriate for the battlefield. It seems restrictive, to me.” He said still smiling.
“Again, I ask you, who was it? Who will I kill first?” He asked.
“Why did you have to come back, Dracon?” She asked in a sigh, shaking her head, almost exhausted by the question, “Things were going so well. The lands flourish, peace abides, the people are happy. Why didn’t you just-”
“Die in the outer region? Would that have made you happy, Menina?” He asked finishing her words for her.
“No, brother.” She said.
“Is this my reward?” He asked extending his hands out to the army behind her, “Murder my wife, come to kill me as well? Is this what the head of Terrax brought me? Is this what avenging father led me too? Hated by my own siblings? What happened to you while I was gone?” He asked.
“What happened to you, Dracon?” She shot right back at him, angrily pointing her finger at him, “Your own man returned with tales of an infection of the mind, that your woman put upon your head! The same man who claimed you killed his wife and children. And the same man your harlot set ablaze, for all Ganlin to watch!” Dracon grit his teeth and shook his head at her. It was hard to profess his innocence when he had to admit to himself, he was not in control of his actions. Kaylin was testament to that. His memory was blank on so many things since he returned home.
“He was my friend, my mentor.” He started but before he could continue Queen Menina spoke first.
“And you had him murdered, in front of everyone.” She said with a cold stare.
“I will find out what is amiss here, Menina, and someone will pay for putting it in motion. This is my kingdom, it is my birthright, by father’s own decree, I was proclaimed king!” Dracon growled.
“This kingdom was not his to give!” Queen Menina shot back at him, “It belonged to my mother, not him, and it was her wish that I rule Ganlin, just like she did!” Dracon’s face scrunched up.
“What are you talking about, Menina? Have you lost your mind?” He asked.
“The people are with me. The council is with me. You have no one, Dracon, save those monsters and the few behind you. Do you really think you can take Ganlin by f
orce?” Queen Menina glanced back at the army behind her, she could see Prince Charnio was getting eager to rush over to them. She knew it was probably driving him mad not to be able to hear what was being said between them.
“The council of races?” Dracon asked, “You’ve spoken to them?”
“You know of them?” She asked in return.
“Of course, I do, father complained about them often.” Dracon smiled.
“Father, you say?” Queen Menina chuckled, “It is said that you are the spawn of Terrax, Treska raised as his own, to kill the man himself. A bitter pill to our tormentor.”
“And yet, we both know that to be false.” He said. Queen Menina pondered momentarily whether to continue to assert that claim, but she couldn’t stomach it and chose to let it go.
“How were you able to rally the whole of Ganlin against me, even our brothers, and Charnio? After he came to me pleading for me to believe you were trying to oust me from my rightful place?” He asked looking at her then the forces behind her.
“I did nothing. You did it. You did it all! Reports of your behavior in your own palace spread through Ganlin. Those so-called women, leading you around by your nose, to put it loosely. Your return from the outer region, drenched in blood! The desolation of towns that coincide with that even?” She chastised him. Each word was true, and he knew it. It did not make him any less angry at her betrayal, or his brothers.
“I admit, Menina, I have been neglectful…” he started.
“Neglectful?” She repeated in disbelief, “Dracon, you murdered your own man! How many times do I have to say that before you stop overlooking it, like you accidently spilled your wine?” She asked incredulously, “Oops, sorry, will not make anything better here! No one knows who you are! The Dracon we knew never returned from battle!”
“I am still the Dracon you knew.” He said in a low growl.
“Just leave, Dracon.” She said slumping her shoulders, exhausted by the conversation, “I will open the gates and you can take your whores anywhere you wish, unmolested, so long as you leave Ganlin. I will give you a day or so, to get your affairs in order, after that, you must leave.” She offered.
“Insult after insult, I ended the war! This is my home!” Dracon shouted at her.
“In all your victories, all your heroism and you alone have pushed the people to choose me over you! No one wants you here, anymore!” She shouted back at him, then fear filled her eyes and she took a few steps back from him, rushing to her horse. Dracon turned to see what she was looking at. It was Talila, returned to him as requested, a bit earlier than anticipated, however.
“I will not listen to this witch any longer!” Talila exclaimed marching toward them. Dracon stuck his hand up at her.
“Don’t take another step!” He ordered, freezing Talila and her rage, still glaring at Queen Menina. “You will not be harmed, Menina.” Dracon tried to assure her, but his words fell on deaf ears. She wasted no time mounting her horse and storming off, away from them.
“To arms!” She yelled, “To arms!” A trumpet blared and the army snapped to attention as one, sending the sounds of marching metal covered feet across the battlefield.
“How long have you been here?” Dracon asked Talila as Queen Menina rushed back to the army.
“I arrived as you left the gates. I’ve been watching your conversation.” Talila said.
“Go back inside, wait for my signal!” Dracon ordered, then started marching toward the approaching army.
“Dracon, wait!” Talila called, Dracon stopped and looked at her. Talila rushed over to him, “She is a Kina, and that aunt of hers, Tamina, she’s a Kina too.” Talila whispered even though no one else could hear her.
“What?” Dracon asked staggered by her admission.
“Venalina made us swear not to tell you, but…” Talila hung her head low.
“This is…” Dracon looked back at the army coming their way, he needed to put aside that information and focus, “Get back inside. Wait for my signal.” He turned back and began walking toward the approaching army.
The princes led the men of Ganlin toward Dracon, Queen Menina was just behind them with another woman Dracon didn’t know. Was it her? The woman Talila spoke of? He was unsure about what Talila said and it made it difficult for him to focus. He wished he took the time to listen to her when she first said she needed to tell him something. Dracon stopped when he was far enough away from the palace gates that the archers could not reach those behind him, who watched from atop the palace walls. The princes marched the forces at first, then by the time Dracon stopped coming their way, they called for an all-out charge. Dracon smiled and stuck his hands out, his armor of fear appeared, then he brought his hands together in front of him and as he did, his Unholy Reaver materialized. Horses reared, sending all but the most experienced riders to the ground. Those who were still on their horses went for a ride that made them wish they abandoned their trusty steeds. Foot soldiers stopped their approach, fear ripped through their ranks. Men began to flee at the sight of Dracon, who now marched toward them.
“Hold the line!” Prince Charnio ordered, very few men were able to steel themselves to face Dracon’s armor of fear. Prince Charnio tried to steady his own horse and regain control of it. He eventually had to jump off and let it go. The other princes followed his lead. “Archers!” Prince Darrin yelled when he regained his footing, “Loose!” From behind the fleeing soldier’s, arrows darkened the sky. Queen Menina was almost trampled by the soldiers trying to flee back to the city. She too was knocked from her horse. Tamina created a shield around the two of them to prevent from being trampled. Both women were in awe of Dracon’s magical armor.
“How do we counter that?” Queen Menina asked Tamina, who could not look away from Dracon. Her eyes were wide in awe and fear. “Tamina! Help me!” She shook Tamina roughly.
Dracon stuck his arms out wide and tilted his head up to the sky, accepting the arrows approach, fearlessly. The onlookers of both sides held their breath in anticipation of the cloud of death that descended on him. Their fear was amplified when the arrows simply bounced off him harmlessly. The princes stopped their approach, stunned at his immunity.
“Run!” Someone yelled from within the midst of the scattered men of Ganlin, a sentiment that echoed throughout their ranks. They feared Dracon as it was, with his armor and invulnerability, they didn’t need much more incentive to flee. Elmyra rushed ahead of the princes and grabbed an errant arrow from the ground. She cast a spell on it and it became a magic missile that flew from her hand, it hit Dracon center mass, in his chest. The force of the blow knocked him back, stumbling a few steps. Elmyra was quick and cast three more in rapid succession, the last shot knocked Dracon to the ground, on his back.
“He is just a man!” Queen Menina yelled to the soldiers around her, men stopped and watched Dracon on the ground. “Warriors of Ganlin! You are the most feared force in all the world!” Queen Menina flew up and hovered, high above the soldiers, she amplified her voice to be heard by all the creatures around her. “He cannot stand against us, if we are united!”
“To the Queen!” A dwarf yelled and others rallied themselves back to the lines. The fleeing soldiers were emboldened by their comrades return to the line and stopped their retreat. Tamina began casting a spell to eliminate the fear they felt and bolster their confidence. She knew it would not last long, but she was hopeful it would last long enough for them to engage Dracon. A handful of pixies flew at Dracon, they swirled over him as he lay on his back, trying to roll to his side. A magical mist began to form around him that crackled with electric energy. Dracon raised his Unholy Reaver into the electrical energy they were creating and it exploded, sending the pixies flying, two of them died and fell to the ground, while the others flew to safety. Dracon spun to his side, then up to his feet, with a quickness a man in a suit of platemail armor should not have. He ran at his approaching brothers and the army that followed them. Elmyra let fly another volley of mag
ic missiles, but Dracon was wise to her weapons and deflected each with his Unholy Reaver. It absorbed the energy from the magic missiles, returning them to harmless arrows. Dracon swung his blade and aimed it at Elmyra. The absorbed energy was released back at her with a flash and a pulse. Elmyra raised a shield to protect herself, the flash of the collision blinded her. Prince Charnio was the first to reach Dracon, sword in hand and engaged him, sword on sword. The other princes joined the attack before any advantage could be taken by either man. Dracon was fighting all four of his brothers who circled him. He fought them back, keeping them at bay, refusing to kill any of them. When the rush of the army behind them arrived, Dracon had no choice but to start killing. Soldier after soldier, fell to his acidic blade. The men rushed in, passed the princes, falling to their deaths in futility, blindly emboldened by Tamina’s magic. Dracon stabbed his sword into the ground and a blast emanated from it, knocking everyone down in a fifty-foot circle around him. They lay stunned. The soldiers beyond that stopped their advance, swords in hand, watching him. Prince Charnio rolled to his knees with one hand on the ground supporting himself, while his other hand searched for his sword. He coughed blood from the concussive blast that laid them all out. Dracon pulled his helmet off his head and let it drop to the ground, near where his sword was still stuck, not quite all the way to the hilt.
“You are my brothers!” He yelled at all the men around him, “I suffered for you!” He yelled, so angry he was fighting his own people. “You killed my Venalina! My Queen!” The other princes made it to their feet around him, each glanced at the other, questioning what they were doing and why. Queen Menina teleported behind Dracon and stabbed him in the neck with a dagger, repeatedly, grunting and screaming with each stab. It did nothing. Queen Menina dropped the dagger and a look of horror spread across her face. Dracon slowly turned to face her, the snarl on his face was so animalistic, he didn’t need any armor of fear to strike fear at that moment. Again, he was unharmed by the blade. Prince Charnio looked at his sword, then put it away. Dracon stared at Queen Menina in disbelief. He shook his head, disgusted. “This is how you win?” Dracon looked up at the top of the wall to Talila. He looked around at his brothers, “If it is my head you wish, then come.” Dracon pulled his sword from the ground, then grabbed his helmet by one of its horns. “Let us end this, in a most brutal fashion!” He nodded at Talila before putting his helmet on. Talila looked at Satana, then started to count. Satana left the wall for the palace grounds where her horse awaited her. She mounted her horse and nodded at Notter, who gave her a tip of his hat. Next to him was a dwarf, who then blew a horn. Dwarves popped up from the ground, all around Dracon, then began attacking the soldiers of Ganlin. Queen Menina ran over to Prince Renic for protection, but the dwarves ignored the siblings. Satana rode out fast, like a shot through the palace gates, sword in hand, battle cry on her lips, rushing to join the fight. Talila teleported back to Um’Vec. The sky flashed and crackled, there was a loud pop that electrified the air, the event stopped everyone in their tracks. The fighting ceased.
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