On either side of him strode a contingent of elite galdak warriors. He could have had the strong warriors carry him on a litter, but he was in no hurry to reach the city. The casual walk would give him time to regain some more of the energy he had used earlier in the night. By the time he neared the crumbled walls of the city, he would have more than enough energy to put an end to the life of the pitiful human wielder.
His race had begun taking its revenge on the humans. They had destroyed one of their grandest cities, slaughtered tens of thousands of their soldiers, and were already deep into their strongest kingdom. His ancestors were beginning to rest easier with each human that was killed. The galdak horde would continue to march through the human lands until none of the despicable beings were left. The human army had learned that they were no match for him and his horde.
There was only one hope left for the weak humans. After tonight, there would be none. The human wielder had delayed the outcome of the night’s battle with his unexpected display of power, but he had not changed it. The galdaks would continue to win the battle. The last of the city’s defenses and hope would be crushed.
Azulk stroked the skulls that hung from his neck as he slowly shuffled onward across the trampled grass of the plain. At last his collection would be complete. Before the night was over, he would have the skull of a human wielder.
38
Traven watched with amusement as the princess returned to staring at Darian and Giselle. He wondered if his eyes had gotten as large as hers the first time he had seen the elves. His smile turned into a grimace as one of Kalista’s servants fainted and collapsed with a thud. He stood to check on her, but Kalista motioned for him to sit back down. Another chamber maid knelt down with a bottle of smelling salts and quickly revived the servant.
“She often faints,” Kalista said distractedly. “Though, I do not blame her this time. I feel slightly lightheaded myself.”
“I was surprised the first time I met the elves as well,” he said. “In some ways they are similar to the childhood tales I knew, but in others they are very different. They are a strong, proud race and have agreed to help us in our fight against the galdaks. This is Darian and this is Giselle,” he added as he motioned to his two devoted servants.
They both nodded to Kalista with a smile. Giselle still seemed slightly uncomfortable, but Darian appeared perfectly at ease. In fact, he appeared to be grateful to no longer be hiding underneath the cloak’s hood.
“Welcome,” Kalista said after shaking off her initial shock. She rose to her feet and faced the two elves. “We are grateful for your offer to help us and gladly accept it.”
Darian and Giselle nodded back to her but remained silent. Having given her official acceptance, the princess sat back down and turned to him.
“Are they your servants?” she asked in a whisper.
“Yes,” Traven answered. “But not in the same way as your chamber maids.”
“Can they be fully trusted?”
Traven tried to hide a smile as Darian rolled his eyes. With their enhanced hearing, the two elves could no doubt hear everything the princess was saying.
“I trust both of them with my life,” he responded confidently and loudly. “In fact, Darian has saved my life multiple times. You can speak freely in front of them.”
Kalista glanced between him and the two elves. She still appeared slightly uneasy but seemed to be adjusting to the idea that elves existed.
“You said the elves had agreed to help us,” she reminded him. “How much help can we expect from them?”
“There is an army of fifty thousand elven warriors that will arrive tomorrow a little after midday.”
The surprised look on Kalista’s face revealed that she had not been expecting anything like that. The entire Royal Army would receive a huge boost of morale when they were joined by so many allies.
“I need to head over to the command center when I leave here and let them know about the additional troops,” he continued. “With the armband of endurance and the fifty thousand elven warriors, I think we should be able to repel the galdak invasion and chase the creatures back to their own lands.”
Kalista’s eyes lit up, and she put her hand on his arm excitedly.
“That is great news,” she said. “It will give everyone in the city hope.”
The princess suddenly realized she had her hand on his arm and quickly set it back in her lap. Traven studied her expression and decided he might as well say what he had promised himself he would the next time they met. He supposed the worst that could happen was that she would send him away and stop being so friendly to him. Frankly, he didn’t necessarily want her to be so nice to him if their relationship couldn’t progress. He glanced at Darian. The elf smiled and nodded slightly in encouragement. Traven took a deep breath and began down the difficult path of no return.
“Princess,” he began, “before I left Candus, there was a letter that you sent to me. It caused me serious reflection while on the journey that followed.”
At the mention of the letter, Kalista turned a bright shade of red. He tried to decipher the emotion on her face and decided it was embarrassment, not anger. He took another deep breath and plunged ahead.
“In the letter, you mentioned that you were engaged and that we could never be more than friends. I understand the obligation you have to your fiancé and your country, but I also have an obligation to myself to tell you something.” Kalista opened her mouth to say something, but he continued on before she could speak. “Before I left, you asked me if you were still in my dreams. I told you that you were, but I didn’t elaborate on them and you didn’t ask. I feel like I should share with you the part you always play in my recent visions.”
Kalista’s gaze was fixed intently on him, and she had unconsciously leaned towards him in anticipation. He could now feel his own face flushing. He probably shouldn’t reveal what he was about to, but he knew that as difficult as it was to express his feelings to her, he would regret it if he didn’t tell her everything.
“In all of my visions, you are always standing at my side, supporting me and giving me strength.”
A smile flitted across the princess’ lips.
“I am glad to know I am a source of strength in your visions,” she said with a smile.
“It is more than that,” Traven continued in a rush. His heart was pounding, and he felt his mouth going dry. “When I said you are always standing by my side, I did not mean you were merely near me. I always have my arm wrapped around your shoulder, and you have your arm wrapped tightly around my waist.”
He had done it. He had shared the most personal part of his visions. He stopped and waited for her reaction. Kalista didn’t say anything. Her smile had disappeared and been replaced by a strange look. He waited a few moments in silence. When the princess still didn’t say anything, he continued.
“I am uncertain as to what it means exactly, but I do know what my own feelings are for you. Kalista, I have been attracted to you ever since the first time I stumbled into your private room during the winter ball. That attraction grew after I saved your life and began having visions of you every night. It increased even more when I spent those mornings with you in Candus. I know you are engaged and will be the next queen of Kalia, but that hasn’t stopped the feelings that burn inside me when I think of you. I shouldn’t say this, and I won’t blame you if you banish me from your presence, but I have to tell you how I feel.” He paused and took another deep breath. “Kalista, I love you.”
Traven clamped his mouth shut as soon as the final words had escaped. He had expressed his feelings better than he had expected to but already began to question whether he should have said all that he had. He braced himself for the rejection he didn’t want but expected. At least he would no longer have to live with the doubt of what could have happened if he had only had the courage.
He watched closely as the strange look on Kalista’s face melted into one of sorrow. A tear escaped her b
eautiful blue eyes and trickled down her cheek. He suddenly felt horrible for what he had said. What had he done? He wanted to say something to make it better but had no idea what to say next. Kalista looked down at her hands resting on her lap and mumbled something that he couldn’t hear. Traven wondered if it was a dismissal and prepared to leave.
“I love you too,” she mumbled a little louder.
He began to rise from his chair but froze in place. Had she just said what he thought she had? It was impossible. He turned back to her and found her no longer looking down but directly at him. There were still tears in her eyes, but a delicate smile now graced her face as well.
Traven opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He was more at a loss for words now than he had been earlier. He had prepared himself for a rejection but hadn’t prepared himself for this. Kalista seemed at a loss for words as well. They both found themselves staring silently into one another’s eyes. Finally, Darian coughed, breaking the silence.
Traven looked over at him and found the elf struggling to keep from laughing. Giselle, on the other hand, seemed to have tears in her eyes. He realized that he had just professed his love to Kalista, and she had professed her love to him, in front of an attentive audience. He felt his face heat up. It was time to say something and change the subject. The two of them could privately talk regarding their feelings at a more opportune time.
“I am glad to hear how you feel,” Traven said in response to Kalista’s last words, even though it felt like an eternity had passed since she had uttered them.
“Me too,” she said with a smile.
“I think it is time for me to go,” he said as he stood.
“Yes,” Kalista replied. “It is late, and I am sure they are expecting you at the command center. We will talk more later.”
“Certainly,” Traven responded with a large smile that he couldn’t hold back.
He bowed deeply to the princess and flashed her one last smile before turning and heading to the door. Darian opened it for him, and the two elves followed quietly as he exited the room. He couldn’t believe what had just occurred. Kalista had said she loved him. He had no idea what the future held, but it was enough for the moment to know that she loved him. He could still see her shining blue eyes and the delicate features of her face as clearly as if he were still basking in her presence.
Reality came rushing back as Darian clapped him firmly on the back. He stopped walking and found himself standing outside the front of the inn. He didn’t even remember descending the stairs or walking across the common room.
“Would you get that silly grin off your face?” Darian said. “Everyone will think you have lost your mind.”
Traven tried to stop smiling, but he couldn’t. He felt wonderful. Between the energizing strength of the armband of endurance and the recent revelation of Kalista’s love, he felt positively giddy. Somehow, his smile grew even larger. Darian threw his arms into the air in exasperation.
“I tried,” the elf said to Giselle.
“Leave him alone,” she responded in a gentle voice. “You must understand how he feels?”
“I do,” Darian replied as he grabbed Giselle’s hand in his. “But we must remember that we are in the middle of a war. The galdak wielder could return any moment. Traven needs to control his feelings and focus on the dangers at hand. Later, there will be plenty of time for him to challenge Gavin to the death and win the unfortunate man’s fiancé in a duel.”
“What?” Traven said as his smile disappeared.
“You do remember the princess is still engaged?”
“Yes, but-”
“You don’t think Gavin will give her up without a fight, do you?” Darian asked, cutting him off.
“No, but-”
“Enough of that,” Giselle said to Darian. “We need to focus on the galdak wielder and the horde. Let’s proceed to the command center.”
Traven shook off his distracting thoughts and mounted Pennon. Giselle was right. He needed to focus on the immediate issue of the battle. There was no point in worrying about the future if he couldn’t survive the current conflict.
“You’re right,” he said. “Let’s go and let the leaders of the army know there is help on the way.”
The small group made its way down the road and turned left at the first crossroad. They entered the central square and approached the palace. It was one of the few buildings in the city that wasn’t completely dark at such a late hour. As they reached the front of the palace, Traven heard a commotion in the distance. He stopped and listened to the sound. It was a horseman riding fast towards them. After a few moments, the messenger appeared down the road. He continued straight towards the palace at breakneck speed.
The messenger pulled up on his horse in front of the building, jumped off, and ran up the marble steps. Traven was surprised by the man’s haste and wondered if the galdaks were already returning. He dismounted and strode up the steps with Darian, leaving Giselle to wait with the horses. The guards at the doors didn’t appear to recognize Traven, but they made no move to stop him from entering.
The large entryway was empty, but several doors leading away from it were open, spilling light into the large area. The room at the far end was by far the loudest, with the most commotion. Traven headed towards it, hoping to learn why the messenger had appeared so frantic. The conversation from the room was loud enough that he could hear what was going on as he walked towards it.
“Are you certain?” someone asked.
“Yes, sir,” another man replied, slightly out of breath. “The main horde is still in their camp, but a small group of about ten large galdaks is slowly approaching the city. It looks as if they are escorting the galdak wielder.”
Traven didn’t like what he was hearing. It sounded just like when the ancient wielder had challenged him outside of Candus. Perhaps he wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.
“Does anyone know where the Wielder Traven is?” the first man asked.
Silence followed until Traven stepped into the room.
“I’m here,” he said.
There were about ten men in the room sitting around a large table. The messenger he had seen earlier was standing at the base of the table. All of the men turned to look at Traven when they heard his voice. He recognized several of the men as generals in the Royal Army and also immediately recognized Gavin sitting at the head of the table.
“Good,” Gavin said addressing him. “Are you prepared to face the galdak wielder?”
Traven nodded.
“Commander General Blaize told us that you had found the object you left in search of,” Gavin continued. “Will it allow you to defend the city better than you did at Candus?”
“Yes,” Traven replied, ignoring the hint of sarcasm in the vice baron’s voice. “I am prepared to repel the galdak wielder and to defend the city from the galdak horde. I have also secured an army of fifty thousand warriors that will arrive tomorrow to aid the city.”
“Fifty thousand!” one of the generals exclaimed. “How could you gather such a large number of warriors so quickly?”
“Where did you find them?” another man in the room asked.
Traven held up his hands to stop any more questions.
“I will explain later,” he said. “For now, it is enough for you to know that they will be here tomorrow afternoon. If the galdak wielder is truly approaching, I think it wise that I hurry to the edge of the city to meet him.”
“I concur,” Gavin said as he stood up. “Let us hasten to the battlefield.”
Traven couldn’t help but give the vice baron a calculating glance as the men in the room rose and began exiting. He definitely wasn’t afraid of Gavin, but he wondered how the man would react when he discovered Kalista’s true feelings towards him. He shook his head and walked quickly to the front of the palace, trying to rid himself of thoughts of the princess. His mind needed to be clear and focused for the battle that was about to commence.
<
br /> They were soon all riding down the road that led to the demolished eastern gate. The group was only half way to the crumpled walls of the city when a fireball arched up into the air, blazing brightly against the black sky. The messenger hadn’t been mistaken as to who was approaching the city. It was the ancient galdak wielder, and the challenge had been given.
39
Traven watched with mixed feelings of excitement and apprehension as the ball of fire disappeared. He had hoped he would have another day to rest and prepare for the duel but knew it wouldn’t have changed anything. In fact, fighting tonight would probably be an advantage to him. The ancient galdak had already been wielding the ambience for part of the night and would not be at full strength. Traven wasn’t at full strength either, but the armband of endurance would continually help to restore the energy he needed.
He reached his right hand upward and sent a small fireball into the sky in response to the other wielder’s challenge. He wanted the galdak to know that he had seen the challenge and had accepted it. The small fireball arched over the city and out into the open plains beyond before disappearing.
“How do you feel?” Darian asked quietly from behind him.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you ready?”
“Will I ever be?” he responded.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I am ready,” Traven said with a smile. “You already know what my basic plan is. I will keep the galdak wielder distracted and confused for as long as it takes to drain his power. I’ve thought a lot about what I can do and have practiced it extensively. I am prepared, but it doesn’t change the nervousness I feel.”
“It is good that you are nervous,” Darian stated. “That means you will be careful and alert. Some confidence is essential, but too much is not a good thing.”
Traven nodded and continued riding towards the edge of the city. He had an unsettling feeling that he was riding to his death. He felt that he had a much better chance of defeating the galdak wielder than before, but he also knew that if he made a wrong move, he could easily end up dead. The armband would allow him to continue wielding the ambience for the rest of the night, but it didn’t increase his strength in the ambience. The galdak wielder was unquestionably far stronger than he.
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