Dragon Fusion

by Karen Carnahan

  Listening to Lazeen didn’t make El feel any better, “Yeah, someone breached the walls, but by whom?” “Come, we need to inform your parents; they aren’t going to be happy with this news!”

  He knew, thank the stars El didn’t have to tell Lazeen their secret. He walked next to her, the whole way back to where he had left her parents.

  As they walked into the room, El saw the bemused look on her parent's faces. She was grateful Lazeen took charge, in telling her story.

  “What do you mean there was an intruder within the training area?” The queen faced turned as white as a ghost.

  “It will be alright. We don’t know what the intruder is after, and El is safe, that is the main concern.”

  “How can you say that?”

  “We have always known there could be a danger for her.”

  “Yes, but not within our walls.” It’s supposed to be her safe haven where she can be safe. Vigdis?”

  El listened to her parents as they discussed the whole situation.

  “Yes, your majesty.” Vigdis walked in front of the queen, bowing her respect.

  “There has been an intruder he was in the training area. El was the one to discover him. I want every inch of the encampment searched. Oh, he is unseen.”

  “Pardon me, your majesty? Unseen?”

  “Yes, he wasn’t visible. He is using some kind of magic or a spell to cloak himself.”

  “I see.”

  “Don’t fret. I will be joining the team. I can place a spell around the encampment if anyone crosses using magic it will sound an alarm.”

  El watched as Vigdis, Lazeen, and several other guards walked out of the room. She had taken her seat next to her mother. She watched as the guards lined the walls extra guards had arrived after Vigdis left. As time went by, the chair was getting hard. She shifted side to side.

  SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Vigdis walked in with a couple of guards; Lazeen came in not far behind. She was sitting straight in her chair.

  “You’re majesty. We have covered every inch of the grounds. Lazeen put a magical spell at each entrance of the encampment.”

  “Good to hear,” The queen set back in her chair. “Please join us.”

  “Thank you, your majesty.” She walked over sat down.

  “I want you to stay with El at all times other than at night when she is locked securely in her room.”

  “What about your safety, my Queen?”

  “Your second-in-command can be by my side. You need to be with El so you can continue to train her.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She looked over at El thinking to herself she was going to ensure she’s fully trained like none other has been taught before.

  “What you’re going to lock me up like some type of criminal? I don’t think so.” El stood to leave.

  Vigdis grabbed her arm, stopping her.

  El, “You're not a criminal, you’re just very important; it’s for your safety.”

  “Yeah, right, whatever.” She pulled her arm away from Vigdis and walked off.

  “El, wait.”

  “She’ll be alright. She just needs time.”

  “I’ll talk to her.” Lazeen followed behind El.

  El went out of the front door. She needed some fresh air. She walked through the Ancient Forest, taking in the smell of Oak, Birch with a hint of cedar as she walked over to the edge of the river by the waterfall, she sat down on the grass leaning against a tree. It was as if she was free from the worries that were going on inside.

  It wasn’t long before the old-man sat down next to her. El saw him, “What do you want? Can’t a girl be left alone?”

  “Some yes, you no. I know you don’t like having a babysitter. I don’t blame you. I didn’t like it either. When I was a young lad, I had a mentor who trained me while I was in training, he had to stay with me until I learned the way to protect myself. All magical users have a period of vulnerability where they can sway to use their magic for evil.”

  “I am not going to use my magic for evil.”

  “I believe you; however, you may be killed for not doing so, which is just as bad.”

  “Why is my life so important?”

  “One, you have to understand where Ivoka is coming from; she doesn’t want to lock you up at night, nor have you feel uncomfortable like you’re a prisoner was how you put it. She just wants to keep you safe that is why she sacrificed fifteen years of not being with you.”

  “She gave me away.”

  “Yes, she did an ultimate sacrifice to protect you until you could grow into your powers to learn to use them to defend yourself as well as your people.”

  “My people don’t even know who I am since I am a secret.”

  “Yes, for now, you are a secret, but it won’t always be this way. There is far more for you than you know.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “All in time. First, you must finish your training.”

  “Why what is it that has all of you so scared?”

  “Honestly, it is the unknown of who is behind the rumors of evil spreading throughout the neighboring realm. Things have happened over several years, with no evidence remaining as to who has done the crime. It is unnerving when trying to protect people.”

  “What does that have to do with me?”

  “You will see when the time is right, my child. All answers will come to you. In the meantime, you have to do whatever you can to protect yourself. Now come we need to get you back.”

  “Fine, but can we stay for a bit longer? It is so relaxing.”

  “Only a little while longer.”

  As they entered onto the balcony, El heard Ivoka, “Vigdis, you will continue to train El in the arena, the sooner, the better.”

  El wasn’t sure about being in the training area. She knew from all the movies she has seen with Lesa; there is always a counterspell.

  Lazeen had taken his seat he looked at El amazed at the magic she possessed at such a young age. He also noticed she had great respect for its power. He hoped this child could harness the magic she possessed within her. He knew anytime one uses magic; it comes at a price.

  This kid had a spunky fire, Vigdis liked. She reminded her of herself when she was her age. The fact this kid could detect danger earned her Vigdis's respect. Vigdis was going to make sure she’s trained to the max. It didn’t sit well with Vigdis, the fact an intruder was on the grounds she had sworn to protect.

  El looked over at Vigdis, who looked deep in thought.

  When Vigdis looked at El, their eyes met, Vigdis leaned over whispered in her ear, “Is this as boring to you as it is to me?”

  A laugh escaped El’s mouth; grateful, no one was paying attention to her. A smile crossed her face as she felt a bit more relaxed, even if it only lasted a moment.

  Vigdis smiled in response. It was good to see her smile. She felt a sense of accomplishment. El is young to be under so much pressure, not to mention all she’s already gone through.

  Security had already been on alert; how did they get in? It didn’t sit well with El. Was no place safe? She is going to be one of those people whose lives be in endangered for the rest of her life. She wasn’t happy when she found out Ivoka had given her away, but now she understood why. It allowed her to live the first fifteen years of her life worried free. She would have to remember to thank Ivoka for what she did for her. To think kids in her old world, believe they have it so hard. They have no idea what hard is. She could tell Vigdis had a lot on her mind as well, they both ate in silence as everyone else talked at the table.

  El returned to her room, escorted by Vigdis. Upon a full search of her room to ensure it was secure, Vigdis double-checked the door to ensure it’s locked from the hallway.

  Standing by the door, she walked over to the table, grabbed a book from the stack before she sat on the windowsill. She opened the book to read when she realized it was a diary.

  Dear Diary,

  My name is Kaylessa. I am the Princess of

/>   the High Elves. I live in a beautiful place

  located in the middle of several mountains in a

  circle, which provides excellent protection. My

  home is enormous; we have plenty of room for all of

  us to live, plus enough room to plant a bountiful

  amount of food to feed everyone. The war this

  past winter had been devastating for us with too

  many deaths; it almost wiped us out. Father has

  been talking of asking another Elven clan to

  join with us to ensure our survival.

  Father had corresponded with the King

  of the Wood Elves. They too had suffered a lot

  from the war. They lost their food storage as

  well as many of their homes. He had made a

  proposal—a marriage between the son of the

  King of the Wood Elves to the daughter of the

  King of the High Elves to bind the two clans

  together, which would ensure the survival of

  both Elven clans.

  I can’t believe the King of the Wood

  Elves accepted. I’m not ready for marriage,

  I’m only eighteen and now betrothed for the

  King of the Wood Elves accepted the father’s

  proposal. The wedding scheduled for

  the summer solstice. Mother didn’t take the

  news well; she’s concerned I’m too young.

  Mother understood why this arrangement

  had been made, it was in the best interest of

  the survival of both clans through the

  upcoming winter and thereafter. The worst

  part I have never met my betrothed nor do

  I know anything about the man whom to

  become my husband, which terrifies me I

  can only pray he is a good man. The only

  the thing I know for sure is his name

  Connak.

  Mother is now doing her best to

  prepare me for my wedding day which

  it sounded like it could be fun but the

  wedding night scared the dickens out of me.

  All the planning her mother had to do for

  this big day was crazy I never knew there

  was so much to do to plan a wedding.

  Today is the day. I am a nervous

  wreck; my life is fixing to change forever.

  My dress is stunning. Mother had outdone

  herself. It was long slimming with

  embroidered purple berries on the sleeves,

  as well as the neckline. My headpiece was

  an intertwined wooden headdress to

  represent the Wood Elves. I was holding on

  to my father’s arm as I walked down to meet

  my new husband. I was relieved seeing he was

  a good looking man with golden hair; a small

  portion of which was pulled back on both

  sides of his face fastened behind his head.

  His skin was a pale white, lighter than mine.

  He was built solid, as well as tall. His smile

  made me relax. I knew everything would

  be alright. We each took their turn

  speaking our vows then the person

  conducting the ceremony noted a few

  things about how we were making history

  combining both clans to create a new clan.

  The banquet that followed the ceremony

  was a night I wouldn’t forget.

  It has been crazy getting everyone from

  the Wood Elves encampment assigned shelter

  by rank plus their position, which took roughly

  a week. It took us another month to get

  everyone’s belonging moved into their new

  homes. The next thing we had to tackle was

  assigning everyone a job assignment. We put

  some people to harvest crops, while others were

  assigned to plant new crops. Father wanted to

  make sure we had plenty of provisions stored for

  the upcoming winter. He even sent out warriors

  from both clans to hunt for game so we’d have

  enough meat. Father has everyone working

  around the clock. He fears we’ll have an early

  winter. Connak’s father agrees with him, and it

  has been busy with work around here.

  Both fathers decided they would rule

  together until we are old enough to be crowned.

  Luckily enough, we had peace for many years.

  Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. War came

  it was horrible Connak’s father was killed in the

  battle against the Dark Elves, my father was

  mortally wounded. I don’t think he is going to

  make it. Mother is by his side, and the healer has

  been keeping a watchful eye over him. The healer

  told me before I left, it was up to father now, which

  meant it was a waiting game. I went to check on

  my father, and my mother was crying. I knew it

  wasn’t good. He died before the mid-day meal. It

  has been a sad few days as we prepared for their

  burial of both King’s. The burial ceremony will

  be tomorrow. My heart hurts. I couldn’t believe

  we had to burry both of our fathers on the same

  day, everyone was sad. It was so bad, Connak's

  mother became ill; the healer stated she was

  dying from a broken heart. We now had to

  prepare for another burial. The gloomy mood

  was dark throughout the land.

  A week time, I became ill, every time I

  smelled food, my stomach turns. At first, I thought

  it was all the stress, but weeks later, I still had

  symptoms I called for a healer, it was just the

  news we needed a baby. The Royal Court

  buzzed with joy as we prepared for the new

  addition to the family. Even Connak had pulled

  out of his foul mood. He was helping her mother

  pick out decorations for the nursery. I

  have to say I’ve enjoyed the pampering.

  It felt great; well, until I was informed, I gotten

  restricted to my bed. Oh man, those were the

  worst pains ever. The midwife told me the baby

  was coming. Yeah, ok, I was excited, but it

  didn’t help with the pains I was feeling. All the

  midwives were thrilled; the head lady told me

  to push. I was glad to be getting this kid out of

  me. Anything to make the pain go away.

  Relieved when I heard the cry of the bundle of

  joy being placed in Connak’s arms. I saw the

  look on his face. Ivoka had him wrapped

  around his finger already.

  Ivoka grew like a weed. Connak

  brought her gifts. She was the most precious

  thing to him. There was no way he could deny

  it since it showed on his face every time

  they were together. The more Connak

  spent time with Ivoka, the more I felt he

  doesn’t love me. I couldn’t blame him. We

  didn’t have much of a connection other

  than saving our kingdoms and our daughter.

  Connak had gone hunting with his men. He

  loved to go out with them; it gave him time to keep

  up the rapport as well as morale he needed to

  keep his men loyal to their King. It gave him a

  chance to see what news was throughout the

  Kingdom. The Captain of the Guard stated

  everything had been going well. They had caught a

  lot of game on the hunt. They were on their way

  to the area where they usually made camp.

  Nightfall was upon
them when things went

  terribly wrong an arrow came out of nowhere,

  striking Connak in his chest. He died shortly

  afterward from his wound. They searched every

  bit of the area, but there was no trace of anyone

  or any leads. It would be impossible to find out

  who killed the King, my husband, and the father

  of my child. It was hard as I prepared him

  for burial, mother did her best to keep mine and

  Ivoka spirits up. The day of the burial ceremony

  weighed on me. It’s now only me, Ivoka and my

  mother left to rule the Kingdom of Elves, with a

  killer of the King still out there?

  A couple of months later, the Keepers had

  sent a letter of warning to all the Kingdoms. It

  simply said:

  To all in the land.

  There is a deadly sickness

  Spreading far and wide.

  Take heed to stay inside.

  Protect yourself as best you can,

  No cure within these lands.

  I am worried how was I going to keep Ivoka

  and Mother plus everyone else in the kingdom safe

  from the sickness. It is the worse time for it is

  hunting season, we needed game for the winter,

  the only thing I could think of was to keep the

  hunting parties small in numbers, plus I want to

  keep the more loyal guards I trust within these

  walls. I know times like these were going to be

  difficult, I will need all the help I can get from

  the guards to keep order.

  The keepers had also sent another letter,

  addressed to me:

  Your daughter will bear a child

  She’ll be the protector of the land.

  There’s a prophecy still at hand,

  Long been foretold. One will come

  Who possesses great powers?

  She’ll not be alone. A bond must

  be forged. They’re of great

  importance. Neither are as they

  seem. If they are to bond as one

  Great joy will come, however,

  If they fail to bond as one,

  Great sorrow will come.

  Evil darkness will spread

  Throughout the land.

  I knew I had to do everything in my power

  Ivoka had to survive at all costs. I debated how

  to keep her safe. I decided the best way was to

  lock her in her room until this sickness passed.