by Shawn Sodman
The man answers, “Yes, sir. She told me her name was Ariella Stormrage, sir.”
Chance sighs and says, “Very well, let her in.”
“Are you sure?” the guard asks. “She seems quite agitated.”
“I am sure she is,” Chance replies. “Don't worry, I will deal with her.” Chance turns to Arioch and the others and says, “Perhaps you can continue the discussion in the back? I'll join you shortly.”
Arioch asks, “Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine,” answers Chance. “It is just a misunderstanding. I'll be with you soon, and I am sorry for the interruption.”
“No need to apologize, my friend,” says Arioch. He says to A'ranah, “If you will all follow me, we can continue discussing our strategy elsewhere.”
Arioch and the others begin to walk away as Chance gives a nod to the guard. The man opens the door and, much like her namesake, Ariella storms through the doorway in a rage. “Chance Na'Moon, how dare you!” she yells. Those are the kindest words that she uses as she makes her way across the marbled floor to Chance. During her entire life aboard the Red Dawn, Ariella has acquired an impressive variety of insults and salty language. For every pace she takes, Ariella uses one of these foul words, as she berates and verbally eviscerates the love of her teenage years.
Chance has seen her fury before, but not like this. His mouth agape, he waits for an opening to get a word in, but Ariella's onslaught is relentless. Down the hall, A'ranah says to King Arioch, “It seems Chance has an ill-fated attraction towards the dramatic.”
Arioch laughs, “I think dramatic situations, and women, seem to find their way to Chance.”
In the throne room, Ariella exhausts her vocabulary. She stands before Chance, seething. Just as he is about to respond, Ariella asks, “How could you send a boy to ask me to leave? Did you not have the stones to do it yourself?” Finally, silence fills the halls. Chance, unsure if she is truly done with her tirade, hesitates to answer. “Well?” she demands impatiently.
“I am sorry,” Chance replies. “I should have come to tell you myself.”
Ariella's demeanor changes rapidly, like the flame of a candle that has been blown out by the wind. With a saddened tone, she asks, “Well, why didn't you?”
“I have been so busy planning with King Arioch that I sent the squire to inform all ships that are not part of the royal navy to leave. I was not thinking of the Red Dawn,” answers Chance. “I should have told you myself, but I am glad you didn't leave without saying goodbye.”
Ariella replies, “Oh, I'm not leaving.”
“What?” Chance asks. “Why? You don't have to fight this war.”
“Of course I do,” says Ariella. “Orcneas killed my parents. This is my war every bit as much as it is yours.”
“I just don't want anything to happen to you,” Chance says.
Ariella smiles and says, “And I don't want anything to happen to you, either, but I don't get a say in what you do any more than you get a say in what I do.”
Chance sighs. “Just be careful.”
Ariella nods. “I will. You do the same.” Neither Ariella nor Chance know what to say next. After an awkward silence, Ariella says, “Well, I should be going now.”
“Right,” Chance nods. “And I should get back to planning the defenses.”
“All right then,” she replies as he slowly steps back.
As she starts to turn away, Chance says, “I am going to be pretty busy today, but if the ceasefire holds up, perhaps I could come by the ship tomorrow and we could go somewhere for dinner.”
Trying to hide her excitement, Ariella smiles and replies, “I would like that.”
“Good,” says Chance. “Maybe we could start over.”
“Yes, a fresh start would be nice,” Ariella says. Chance watches as Ariella leaves the castle to return to the Red Dawn.
A few blocks away in the King's Shield Inn, Fernando has come to get breakfast. He looks around the crowded room and spots Sven sitting at a small table alone. Sven, looking rather down, pushes his food around his plate with his fork. Fernando approaches him and asks, “I am sorry to bother you, but would you mind if I sat here?”
Sven looks up at Fernando and replies, “Sven does not mind.”
Fernando pulls out the only other chair at the table and sits. He says, “So, you are a Goliath?”
“Yes,” Sven answers, “How did you know?”
“If there is one thing I know,” replies Fernando, “it is the different accents and languages in Runefell. Also, there was this one time I was with a Goliath woman. Her name was Helena or Helga. I know it was something that started with an H.”
Sven laughs. “There are many Helgas among Goliath women.”
“And speaking of women,” says Fernando, “I could not help but notice that you seemed to be a little distracted when I came in. If there is one thing I know, it is that look. The look of man who is longing for love.”
“You seem to know many things,” Sven says. “What is your name?”
“I am Fernando Greythorn Hernandez,” he replies as he extends his hand.
Sven shakes his hand, and states is name. “Sven Litburg.”
“A pleasure to meet you, my friend,” Fernando says as Lee walks up to them to take his order.
“What do you want?” Lee asks.
Fernando grins and says, “Aside from you and Trisha at the same time, I would settle for two boiled eggs and a blueberry muffin.” Lee sighs with disgust before leaving the table to fetch Fernando his food. Fernando says to Sven, “So, tell me, my friend, what woman has you so bothered?”
“Her name is Lyra,” Sven answers. “Sven would like to get close to her, but she is much younger, and just experiencing world for first time.”
“I see,” Fernando nods. “And you are afraid she will find someone her own age and leave you with a broken heart.”
“There are many things that worry Sven, age is just one of them,” he answers.
Lee returns to the table and places a plate before Fernando. “Thank you, Lee,” Fernando says with a seductive grin. Lee cannot help but smile back before returning to her work. Fernando says to Sven, “My friend, life is like a long road, and along the way there are many obstacles to overcome. But I have found that, when you are in a meadow full of flowers, it is best to enjoy the fragrances and not worry about the next bridge. You see, if you spend all your time worrying about problems that may be in your way, then you cannot enjoy the journey itself. We all reach our final destination someday, and I, for one, do not wish to look back and wonder what a certain flower smelled like because I was too busy looking at the bridges.”
Sven nods. “That was beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Fernando replies.
“So, what you are saying, is that Sven should stop and smell roses,” says Sven.
Fernando says, “That is probably a quicker way of saying it, yes.”
Sven stands up and says, “It has been pleasure meeting you. If you will excuse Sven now, he is going to go and smell certain rose.”
Chapter 36
Changing of the Guard
A few hours later, just behind the throne room and up a limestone staircase, people have gathered in the atrium that overlooks the docks and the sea below. The atrium is round and fifty paces in diameter. At the very center of the room is the lunar gate. It is a magic gateway that leads to the elven city, Elonfar. The gate itself is an enormous white limestone arch, five paces across at its base. A fist-sized amethyst crowns its top.
Women and children are lined up single file, and the line stretches down the stairs and out the front door of the castle.
Arioch is there, observing, and is flanked by two guards, while Chance is saying goodbye to his youngest two children, Kelik and Ambra. Chance says to them, “Remember, you are to listen to Garrin, do you understand me?”
“Yes, father,” they both answer. He holds his children tightly and looks to his friend Garrin
.
“Don't worry,” Garrin says, assuredly, “I'll keep an eye on them. They’ll be safe. Just make sure that you stay safe.”
“I will, my friend, and thank you for watching over them,” he says. Embracing his children again, he murmurs, “I love you.”
“We love you, too,” Ambra answers.
Chance stands with King Arioch as Princess Kianna and Ya'leigh join them. Kianna is now wearing a white dress and a gold circlet that is made up of leaves and vines that are forged together. Her long black hair is down, and extends to the middle of her back. Ya'leigh has on the same armor she wore in the north, though it has been thoroughly cleaned and polished. Just like her father, Chance, is a close friend and one of the many protectors of the king, Ya'leigh is both friend and protector of Kianna. Isen is also there as the main bodyguard of the princess.
The Amazons of the Silver Moon are off to the side along the curved north wall, awaiting the opening of the lunar gate. The magical gateway got its name from the fact that it only opens once every thirty days, the same amount of time it takes the ringed silver moon to go through its phases. Originally the gate opened at midnight during a full moon, but over many years, the slight difference between the time that the gate took to recharge and the time the moon actually took to go through its phases caused the two events to drift apart. While it still only opens once every month, the time it opens no longer coincides with the full moon or midnight.
Kristieana is next to Gelana. She looks at all the women and children preparing to leave. Many of the women have on dresses of varying styles. Kristieana shakes her head and says quietly to Gelana, “Look at the way these women have to dress.”
“What do you mean?” Gelana asks.
“Princess Kianna is the perfect example,” Kristieana begins to explain. “The women all dress in elegant clothing that has no other function than to make them look delicate like a flower, just so the men can feel masculine. It’s a shame. Any man that cannot handle me in my armor is not a real man.”
“Don't you think you’re being a bit harsh?” asks Gelana. “After all, Kianna looks beautiful in that dress, and we know she is a warrior underneath.”
“Yes, she is,” Kristieana says, looking at the princess. When her eyes shift to Isen, she says, “Oh, no, I forgot I have to find something to wear for tonight when Isen takes me to dinner.”
“Where is he taking you?” Gelana asks.
“I don't know,” Kristieana answers. “He said it was someplace special and that I needed to wear something other than my armor.”
Gelana smiles and teases, “So, you are going to wear something delicate so he can feel masculine?”
Kristieana grumbles, “Oh, don't start.”
“I’m only joking,” Gelana laughs. “Come on, let’s find Amanda. I’m sure she can get something for you.”
“Who?” Kristieana asks.
“Amanda,” answers Gelana. “She’s Kianna's handmaiden. She told me to let her know if we needed anything.”
Gelana and Kristieana excuse themselves as the amethyst in the lunar gate begins to glow. Soon the space within the arch becomes a wall of glowing light, and an elven figure emerges. Like the drake captain, Belron, this elf has shaved his head, something that is rather uncommon among elves. He is slightly taller than Chance, with a fairly muscular build. His armor is layered, with a silver breastplate over top of his dark hardened leather. His gauntlets are polished, and match the sliver sheen of his breastplate. He holds his polished helmet in his left hand and has a great sword sheathed on his back, as well as two daggers sheathed at his sides.
A'ranah greets him. “Baeldeth, is that you?”
The elf gives a half smile and replies solemnly, “Yes, mother, it is me.”
Another elf emerges from the light, covered from head to toe with a full set of leather armor. He is holding a quill and a scroll that is stretched upon a piece of wood. Baeldeth gives him a nod, and the elven soldier begins to walk down the line of refugees. As he passes each of them by, he marks down something on the scroll.
“What are you doing?” A'ranah asks.
Baeldeth says, “We are counting them.”
Arioch, frustrated, asks, “Are you seriously counting them?”
“Of course we are,” Baeldeth answers. “We were very clear that we are only going to take one thousand refugees. The rest are going to have to find somewhere else to go. If I understand correctly, there is a ceasefire currently. I suggest you start sending them southwest to Artos.”
The line of people begin to file through the gate on the right side as a line of elven soldiers emerge on the left. Ambra and Kelik wave to Chance and Ya'leigh.
Chance joins the conversation with the king and the others. “Baeldeth, these aren't cattle, these are women and children.”
“I know, brother,” he replies. “But even women and children require food, water, and shelter, and Elonfar does not have enough for all of them.”
“Then let them through the gate, and they can go into the Mana Forest to survive. It would be far easier on them than a week-long march.”
“I’m sorry,” Baeldeth replies. “But the Mana Forest can be a very harsh place to those who are not trained to survive in it.”
Arioch relents. “Very well. We were already planning for this, but we had not counted out one thousand of them exactly.”
Ya'leigh and the Kianna come over as Baeldeth says to Chance, “I am sorry, brother. I wish we could do more.”
“So do I,” sighs Chance. He says to Arioch, “If I am no longer needed, I would like to get a drink.”
“Of course,” Arioch replies.
Chance leaves as Kianna asks Baeldeth, “Are you Chance's brother?”
“No,” he laughs, “I am part La'harn, so he and I are related, but I call all of the orphans of the silver moon my brothers. You and I, however, are half brother and sister.”
“Really?” Kianna asks.
A'ranah says, “Kianna, this is my youngest son, Baeldeth. His father, Reafoin, was La'harn.”
Kianna smiles and says, “I only knew about my half-sisters. I didn't know about any brothers.”
Looking at A'ranah, Baeldeth says, “That is not surprising. We are often forgotten. Isn't that right, mother?”
A'ranah sighs. “You were never forgotten.”
Baeldeth says, “Did you even know that I was a general of Elonfar, and Prince River’s personal guard?”
“Yes, I did,” A'ranah replies. “I just didn't expect to see you or him here.”
The line of soldiers stop coming from the portal, and soon a sole figure appears. He is tall and handsome with dark curly hair. He has a youthful appearance, even for an elf. His breastplate and gauntlets are golden and are worn over padded white cloth armor. He is carrying a shield on his back and a bastard sword with jewels affixed to its golden hilt at his side.
Baeldeth says, “Well, here he is now.” Baeldeth steps aside and monitors the line of refugees filing through the gate as the youngest prince of Elonfar steps forward to greet King Arioch.
“King Arioch, it is good to see you again,” says River.
“It is good to see you, too, Prince River,” Arioch replies.
River shakes Arioch's hand before moving on to A'ranah. He bows his head and says, “Queen A'ranah, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
A'ranah replies, “Thank you for coming to assist us in the war.”
“I am sorry that my father didn't send more troops,” River replies. “The Amazons should be arriving shortly.” With a nod from A'ranah, River steps to his left and stands before Kianna. He takes her hand and says, “My lady, it is always a pleasure to see you.” He kisses her hand and adds, “You look beautiful, as always.”
“Thank you,” Kianna replies with flushed cheeks and a smile.
A short distance away, Lyra says quietly to Yentroc, “Will you go with me to the King's Shield Inn?”
Yentroc replies, “Don't you think it’s a bit ear
ly to start drinking?”
“I don't want to drink,” Lyra says, “I just want to talk to Chance, and I’m sure that’s where he went.”
Overhearing Lyra's question, Kel'ana says, “Why don't we all go? This isn't very exciting.”
Yentroc says, “You're right, I couldn't even see whether any of the elven soldiers were handsome or not with their leather helmets on.”
As the remaining sisters head out the door, Gelana catches up with them and says, “Wait for me!”
“Where were you?” Yentroc asks. “And where is Kristieana?”
“She’s getting a few measurements taken for a dress,” Gelana answers.
“A dress?” Rehma asks, incredulous.
“Yes,” Gelana replies. “It’s a dress that Amanda had. She’s going to adjust it so that it fits Kristieana.”
“I can't imagine her in a dress,” Rehma says.
“Me neither,” Gelana laughs.
Looking out over the courtyard of the castle, Yentroc spots the drake riders. She says, “I want to see the sky drakes up close before we go to the Inn.” The young ladies all nod in agreement and begin to make their way to the winged warriors.
Back at the lunar gate, the Amazons of the Silver Moon are now beginning to come through. The first to come from the gate are those from the house of La'harn. They are every bit as tall and foreboding as the male soldiers from Elonfar, but unlike the uniform look of the male fighters, the Amazons have varied weapons and armor. Most are wearing chain mail or light plate. Only a few don lighter protection. There are few shields among them, as many of the warrior class prefer to use weapons so heavy that the average man would struggle to wield them. There are just over one hundred of them, and as they each walk past the Amazon queen, they bow their heads before continuing down the stairs out from the atrium.
The next Amazons to come through the gate are from the house of Dri'el. Though they would still be considered average in height elsewhere in the world, compared to the La’harn, the Dri'el are downright diminutive. Almost all of them have on cloaks and robes instead of the heavier armor that the La'harn wore. Many carry staffs rather than swords. They parade in front of A'ranah, all bowing their heads, as well. When the last three walk by, A'ranah notices something peculiar about them. The three have the hoods of their cloaks up and avoid looking at A'ranah. In addition to that, all three of the last Dri'el are shorter than average, even for Dri'els.