The Vordalyn 2

by Michael T Payne

  “You fed children to monsters!” She said, her words dripped with disgust.

  “So what?” Tamina yelled then calmed herself, “They were only human, Aynisa?” Queen Menina turned away from her, walking a few steps.

  “That you say that to me, shows me how foul your heart is.” She said.

  “You could have been as beautiful as Ayana, if only she didn’t spawn with a human. It made your true nature… ugly.” Tamina sneered in disgust, insulting her niece.

  “You are the only one here with an ugly nature, Tamina.” Glyna said from the second-floor, hovering near the railing. “When you taste of your mate, your nature will become pure and beautiful, as was with your mother, your true nature hasn’t matured.” Glyna said to Queen Menina.

  “You know nothing of our kind! Don’t fill my nieces head with nonsense so you can manipulate her!” Tamina yelled at Glyna. The wood nymph’s butterfly like wings fluttered quickly and she flew in a quick circle, back to her original place, still hovering.

  “I am not afraid of you.” Glyna said in her high-pitched voice, Tamina laughed heartily at that assertion. That she needed to say it aloud was telling.

  “Leave her alone, Tamina.” Queen Menina snapped at her, “Leave us.” She growled. Tamina walked down the steps slowly, arrogantly.

  “You rely too much on those who would hang you by the neck, if they found out who you really are. What you really are. I am the only one who has your best interests at heart. You’d be wise to remember that… niece.” Tamina said as she passed her. When she left the tavern, Glyna flew very quickly to the spot on the stairs where Tamina once stood.

  “Do you have her? Is she still alive?” Queen Menina asked changing her tone as she spoke to Glyna.

  “She is badly hurt. She may yet die.” Glyna said speaking just above a whisper.

  “What did you mean about a mate? I cannot take a husband, they would surely try to rule as king?” Queen Menina asked with desperation in her voice.

  “Taking a mate is not about man or woman for you, Aynisa. It’s about the feeding.” Glyna said.

  “I don’t understand?” Queen Menina shook her head confused.

  “Your mother chose Treska, she loved him. She fed on him, made him strong, made them both immortal. When he died, she died. That is what it is to be mated, for you. The other things, love, children, they are not what the mating is about. Not for you.” Queen Menina looked down thinking. “If you chose the right mate, you would never have to feed on elves again. They will sustain you for as long as you live. Like your mother, you can walk the path of light, without the guilt of killing.”

  “How can I choose a mate? Who could I trust?” Queen Menina asked shaking her head, pondering her own question and still looking at the ground. She thought of Ohmbryn, he knew everything about her, he could have filled that role. She felt a pang of guilt, feeding on him and killing him. But he was her vessel, what else could she do?

  “You can trust me.” Glyna flew down to Queen Menina and lifted her chin to face her, “I offer myself as your mate. Feed on me.” Queen Menina narrowed her eyes at Glyna, confused, shocked. “I have no desire to rule,” Glyna rushed to say, “Only to see Ganlin safe. In me, you would gain more than you could from a human, or even an elf. My magic, your magic, together we would grow more powerful than any other being in Ganlin. I want nothing, but what the feeding would do for the both of us. We two could stand against him,” She grabbed Queen Menina’s hands, “Together!” Her high-pitched voice almost sounded like a purr, Queen Menina stepped back from her, shaking her head again, unsure. It was too much at once, the knowledge, what was true? What was not? Was she like Tamina, trying to manipulate her? Could she be trusted? Glyna sounded desperate in her bid to be Queen Menina’s mate. It made her suspicious.

  “I have to think.” Queen Menina looked around the tavern, sure Tamina was watching from somewhere, “We have pressing matters at hand, Glyna. I will think on your offer. Take me to the girl.” She said.

  “You cannot kill her. She was once a human girl, ascended. She is an innocent.” Glyna said.

  “She is not innocent, I’ve seen her kill without giving it a thought! You saw it yourself when she killed Dracon’s man. She did not hesitate to kill, that, does not spawn from innocence!” Queen Menina growled.

  “She is only reacting to what has been thrust upon her. Some flee in the face of confrontation, others stand their ground. We both know, had it not been for Ayana, then you, none of this would be happening to them. He would be king.” Glyna said.

  “Are you saying we were wrong?” She asked.

  “No, I’m simply saying, that how they are reacting is a direct result of your mothers plan. She set Terrax free upon the lands of Ganlin. Tamina was supposed to kill him, but she did not, or could not, we’ll never truly know. Dracon did set our peoples free of a blight, your mother and the council set in motion. We used Terrax to keep Treska and his sons busy, so that your mother could sit on the throne. Tamina’s role was to be at Terrax’s side, then kill him when Ayana ordered it. Tamina refused, she reveled in the war. Ayana thought Tamina was trying to take Ganlin from her. Your brother protected your birthright. He is a pawn in all this. That he returned, is a testament to his inner strength. That he returned with the favor of a Vordalyn Queen is an unexpected turn of events, they were supposed to be dead. No one could have foreseen this, he was not supposed to return.” Glyna said.

  “Why didn’t my mother tell me this with her Vessel?” Queen Menina asked.

  “Your Vessel was not complete.” Glyna answered, Queen Menina looked at her confused, “She made it before Tamina’s betrayal. She must have thought it was enough? That he would not return?”

  “But she knew of Venalina? That is what Tamina tells me, she led Dracon to her lair?” Queen Menina asked.

  “I don’t know.” Glyna said looking away, “But if you kill this girl, you will have nothing to bargain with. Unless a way can be found to destroy him and his sword, you will have to bargain with him.”

  “It will mean giving him back the kingdom!” Queen Menina shouted.

  “Then that is what you must do, it will give us time to find a way.” Glyna flew a little closer to Queen Menina.

  “I will not give it to him!” Queen Menina snarled, “I will bargain with him, but not for Ganlin.” Glyna flew to Queen Menina, even closer.

  “Accept my offer.” She said, “Then maybe we can-” Prince Charnio came through the tavern door. Glyna flew back to the base of the stairs like a startled bird.

  “Your highness,” He said, then looked away when he spotted Glyna. To look upon a nymph could drive a man mad, if she did not find favor with him. Glyna was very visible lately, and struggled to stifle her innate ability. “He’s coming.” He said. Queen Menina looked at Glyna with wide eyes, then scowled, realizing what she had to do.

  “Bring her to me when I call for her, I’m going to bargain with my brother.” She said, angry she would have to concede.

  Prince Charnio walked side by side with his sister to the center of the area they set up as their command post. They were met by Prince Renic. “Where is he?” Queen Menina asked.

  “Our scouts say he just left the palace grounds and is coming here. On foot.” He informed her.

  “We’ll bargain with him for his woman, that girl?” Prince Darrin asked walking up to join his siblings. Hearing it said again, made Queen Menina cringe.

  “How do we know he will keep any bargain we make, once he has her safely at his side?” Prince Renic asked.

  “He is the spawn of Terrax, after all.” Prince Torak said, startling the others who did not see his approach. Queen Menina looked at him long and hard.

  “Menina?” Prince Charnio asked.

  “My brothers, I confess, I do not, for one minute, believe he is the spawn of Terrax.” Queen Menina announced, the faces of her brothers reflected how dumbstruck they were by her admission. “I do not profess to know, or understand, what happene
d to him, but he is in league with those creatures, he did in fact kill his own man and his family. That man that comes for us is our very own brother. Twisted, darkened, by what? I cannot say. I believe it to be as Captain Velen told us, those women.”

  “What are you saying, Menina?” Prince Renic asked confused and still struggling with her admission.

  “I’m saying, I believe, if we can get his word, he will abide it. But we have to get it! We will not give him his girl until it is secure, until Ganlin is secure!” She said looking at each of them in turn.

  “You wish to bargain her, against our kingdom?” Prince Torak asked.

  “That is a tall request, how much do you think he cares for this girl, this Vordalyn? Has she even been found?” Prince Darrin offered, looking at his brothers.

  “He is a man, isn’t he?” Queen Menina answered, “And yes, we have her.”

  “Dracon has never been one to lead with his heart, Menina. He has been with women before. I applaud your attempt, but I think it will be fruitless.” Prince Torak added.

  “If they have some hold over him, whatever it is they did that turned him evil, might also give him an overwhelming need to protect them? If she is the last one, he might be crazed to keep her?” Queen Menina explained.

  “If this is the case, why not kill her, free him of her influence? Would we possibly get our brother back?” Prince Darrin asked.

  “No.” Tamina said from several feet away, listening to the siblings. She walked toward them, “We’ve discussed this already. His mind is twisted, at this point, he is no longer the Dracon you knew. He never will be again. Without the women, he would be an aimless weapon, and would still need to be dealt with.” The last thing she wanted, was for any of them to change their minds about ousting Dracon from Ganlin. She, however wanted him captured. He could be something Venalina might want bad enough to ascend her.

  “I don’t know anymore, he sure seemed every bit like Dracon to me? When he spoke to us, I mean. Why did he give us quarter when he clearly had us at his mercy? He had you by the throat?” Prince Darrin said pointing at Queen Menina, her face became a fiery red listening to him speak. Reminding her of the previous day’s humiliation.

  “Princes, your highness.” Raggrun approached, getting the groups attention, “I have something for you.” He was trailed by four dwarves, each bearing items wrapped in cloth. “The Bow of The Piercer.” He introduced, then grabbed a bow from the dwarf next to him, removing the cloth around it, unveiling it to them. Prince Darrin immediately stepped forward before any of his brothers could touch it. None of them tried, of course, but that did not stop Prince Darrin from his rush to be the first. He picked it up and marveled at its design, he grabbed it by its riser, then aimed it, drawing back the bowstring. The bowstring lit up with a white glow, that brightened the area around them. Prince Darrin released the bowstring slowly, back to its place, the glow fading with its return. “Each arrow launched from it, will become as a magic missile, exploding on contact. It will serve you for a quiver, then it will need to be recharged. We all saw what Elmyra’s arrows did to him, this might also find success, in an expert’s hand.” Prince Darrin smiled, still in awe at the craftsmanship of the bow. “Light Hammer,” Raggrun announced and another dwarf came forward, unveiling a square headed mace, three feet long, shined to a mirrored polish. “A blow from this weapon, can shatter stone, metal, the hardest steel will crumble it its path.” Prince Torak took the mace by it’s handle, then whirled it around, in a display of his mastery over such a weapon. He favored it’s like in battle, from atop his horse. Raggrun turned to his left and took from the dwarf beside him, a shield. He handed it to Prince Renic. “This is a repulsor shield, it will return the power of any blow received, back on its wielder. It may only last a few blows against his weapon, but we hope it will be enough to dissuade him from continuing to try.” Raggrun turned to Prince Charnio, “Your greatest weapons have always been your fists, young prince. I offer you these, bracers of strength and agility. His skin may be impervious to blades, but we hope, your style of fighting will serve you well against him.” Raggrun watched as the dwarves, who came with him all backed away. “It is all we can offer, should he present himself without his armor, it might be enough. I’m sorry, your highness, I have nothing for you. In all likeliness, your magic is stronger than anything we could have forged.”

  “Where were these gives yesterday, when we could have used them?” Queen Menina asked in an angry growl.

  “I apologize, your highness, we have thousands of magical weapons, you know this, but given the pressing nature of the matter before us, an accounting of what could, or could not, be affective against Prince Dracon was never taken into consideration until now? All our weapons are enhanced, these were special, developed before the end of the war, finished after, and stored, until now. Few knew of their existence. They were suggested to us by one who examined Prince Dracon during yesterday’s battle.” Queen Menina looked at Tamina, then back to Raggrun. Prince Renic handed Prince Torak the shield.

  “This would be wasted on me.” Prince Renic was nursing the arm that Satana sliced with her sword, “My arm is worthless.” Prince Darrin walked over and examined the wound.

  “Thank you, Renic.” Queen Menina said, “You saved my life, she meant to take my head.” Prince Renic smiled at her.

  “We couldn’t lose our queen.” He said, Queen Menina smiled back at him then looked at the rest of them.

  “I only want wielders with me and my brothers for this confrontation. No one else will die by his sword needlessly. If we fall, kill the girl. Renic, I want you to stay back and make sure that happens. Watch from afar, find a weakness.” Queen Menina ordered. Raggrun bowed then left. Queen Menina looked at her brothers, each looked emboldened by the gifts presented to them, and eager to try them out. At least, they were no longer afraid, she thought to herself.

  Tamina called Elmyra over, when she spotted her with a group of elves. When she arrived, she relayed Queen Menina’s orders as if they were her own. It made Queen Menina ponder the fate of her relationship with Tamina, beyond Dracon. She also considered Glyna’s offer. She would need Glyna to fight Tamina, should it come to that. Her aunt was becoming more chaotic in her quest for ascension. Queen Menina was sure Tamina would sacrifice her niece’s life, as well as the lives of everyone in Ganlin for that prize. Wielders joined the Queen’s side, all of whom were elves. The princes too, were among the group that began to head out and meet Dracon, for what could be the last time.

  Dracon left his palace with Satana at his side followed by the company of dwarves, led by Grik. Dracon wore his black drow cloth armor, he hadn’t worn it since he’d been home. “She said you killed Velen’s family. There’s no truth to that, right? And Velen? What happened to him?” Satana asked as they walked down lonely road toward the city. Dracon seemed to ignore her, but she knew that’s how he acted when he was thinking of what to say. “I hope you’re not thinking of how to justify something like that, that you’re just thinking of where to begin?” She asked.

  “Velen is dead. I don’t know what happened to his family. I am, however, the one who is being blamed for it.” He wouldn’t look at her.

  “And Velen? How did he die?” Satana asked. Dracon stopped walking, then slowly, reluctantly, turned to face her.

  “He rode here with them,” He said pointing to the city full of soldiers, “While I was talking to my sister, he came charging across the field at me, sword in hand.” He looked down, “He was killed during the exchange that followed.” He looked her in the eyes.

  “By your hand?” She asked cocking her head at him.

  “No. It wasn’t me. I will find out why he believed me to be the one, or why he attacked me, but I will find out.” He promised.

  “What’s the point, he’s dead!” Satana snarled, “His whole family is dead!”

  “It was not my doing, I did not set this in motion, Satana. I will find out who did, and they will pay!” Dracon gr
owled as Satana walked away from him, continuing to the city.

  “To what end?” Satana stopped and turned around, “They hate you! We have fought our own brothers! What is left for us here?” She yelled at him, “They don’t want us! Even if we win, how could we stay? Tyrants? Ruling the weak? Is that what we’ve become?”

  “This is my home!” He yelled back, “I did not fight so hard to get back here, only to be thrown out! They killed my Venalina!” He screamed, his face was in a snarl. He started to stomp in a circle with his hands pulling at his own hair. He fell to his knees, then forward so that he was on all fours, “They killed her!” He screamed so hard his voice went silent. Satana watched on, stunned that he was coming undone. Venalina’s death was hitting him, suddenly, and hard. She walked over, dropping to her knees beside him. She put her hands on his shoulders. When she did, he began to cry and dropped his face to the dirt to stifle himself to a whimper. Satana looked around at the dwarves. Grik barked an order at his men and they all turned their backs to them then walked a few steps away, out of respect. After a moment, Dracon sat back up to his knees and wiped his face. “I want to avenge her.” He said in a growling whisper.

  “We will.” Satana said then stood up. Her hand, still on his shoulder, tugging at his shirt, bidding him to stand with her. He stood up and took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry for that.” He said.

  “Shut up. Don’t ever apologize to me.” She snapped back quickly. “Let’s go get our vengeance for my friend.” She turned away from him and wiped her own face, before Dracon could see the rare tear that fell for him.

  They made their way to the city, full of soldiers, lining the road on either side. They had nowhere to go. They gambled, filling the city with as many soldiers as it could hold. When they failed to kill Dracon, the city became a dead-end, with no escape for any of them. Not a soul spoke, they just watched as Dracon and his entourage walked by. Satana spotted a soldier looking at her, “Don’t you look at me!” She growled, stopping to stare him down. He snapped his eyes down so fast, his helmet fell to the street. The soldiers around him averted their eyes. They all knew her. They all feared her. Dracon had not donned his armor yet, he didn’t need to. Its protection was not necessary, his real power came with the sword and his ability to withstand a blade. He knew if he chose it, his Drow armor would suffice, but he did enjoy the fear. Every alleyway and side street was blocked, filled with men. The main road seemed to funnel them to where, Dracon assumed, his sister and the princes were, or Talila was. Satana hoped it was Talila, she feared what depths Dracon would sink, should he lose Talila so close after Venalina, at least Talila could keep his soul together while he mourned her. Satana had no idea how to begin to do that. She would be happy to just let Talila do it. Satana didn’t know how to be soft, or loving. She was built, like Dracon, for war. She would more likely drive him to even darker things, like him, she was fluent in brutality, not words or managing emotions.