"I think that I have had enough wine for today." The queen hiccupped to the others, a rosy blush rising on her pale cheeks. "Though I have to say, I was delighted with the quality this year. It made picking the best vintage particularly challenging!"
"Your choice sure made the owner of the vineyard happy." Captain Harper noted, watching as the winning elf continued to celebrate with tears of joy flowing down his cheeks.
"I'm not surprised." The queen smiled. "He has entered his best wine every year for the last three hundred years, and this is the first time that he has won best vintage."
"It's almost time for the joining ceremony, your majesty." Gilroy informed Queen Serena, who let out a squeal of excitement.
"Oh good!" She exclaimed happily. "I've been waiting all year for this!" She began to lead them all towards Petra's temple, swaying slightly as she hurried along with an excited expression.
"I've never seen an elven joining ceremony before." Damarius commented with an interested expression.
"They're quite fascinating to witness." The elven queen assured him, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "The grooms, accompanied by his family and friends, enters on one side of the plaza, while the brides and her hand maidens enter from the opposite side. They remain separated as the priestess presiding over the ceremony invokes the blessing of Petra, then the couples come together before Petra's statue to exchange their vows." She smiled. "Of course, during the Spring Dawning, there are dozens of couples, and the celebration that follows is spectacular!"
"It sounds like it will be quite the spectacle."
"Oh, it will be!" Queen Serena promised with a knowing smile. "It will be something that you will never forget!"
***********
"What do you have to report?" Yrinn asked wearily as he entered the small cottage near the edge of Celestia. "Is everything prepared for our grand surprise?"
"Yes, my lord." The young elf murmured in a nervous voice. "Our brothers and sisters are all in place, and ready to act when the time comes."
"That's good." The silver haired elf sighed in relief. "I was afraid that the Dragon Lord had somehow managed to disrupt our plans here Celestia as well." He made an indelicate sound. "That damned human is like a hound on the trail of a fox! He just won't give up!"
"Surely he can't be that dangerous." The young elf scoffed dismissively. "He is only a human."
"He is no ordinary human. He has already killed over a dozen of our brothers. Hetris was so furious that he released the Vile Ones upon him and his companions."
"The Vile Ones?" The young elf blanched. "Hetris must have been furious if He released those little monsters upon the Dragon Lord!" His expression became curious. "What did they to him?"
Yrinn shook his head. "We left Oakenvale before they struck, but considering that the Dragon Lord is still on our trail, I doubt there is much left of Vile Ones."
The young elf looked stunned. "W-Where is the Dragon Lord now?"
"He will probably reach Celestia in the next hour or so." The silver haired elf told him grimly. "I had a half a dozen of our brothers hold back to try and slow them him, but I doubt if it worked. The Dragon Lord has thwarted every attempt we've made to kill him and his followers, and even avoided a number of attacks by Petra's faithful."
"For someone who is supposed to be incredibly powerful, it sounds like he's very naive." The young elf grunted. "He fell for the lies fed to him like a fish swallowing a fat worm. He didn't even realize that he and his friends were being lured to their deaths."
"In case you didn't hear me, the Dragon Lord and his companions are still very much alive, and will arrive in the city anytime now." Yrinn grunted sourly. "They have captured or killed every elf that has been sent to deal with them." He frowned. "We have to slow them down long enough for us to carry out our plans. Once they are complete, then we can turn our full attention to the Dragon Lord and his companions." He looked to the young elf. "Take any brothers who are not essential to our plans, and go keep a watch on the gates. Make sure that the Dragon Lord and his companions do not make it into the city. We have to delay him, no matter the cost!"
"Leave it to me, my lord." The young elf assured him with a nod. "I will make sure that the Dragon Lord never makes it into the city."
Yrinn watched as the young elf hurried from the cottage, then dropped his face into his hands with a tired sigh.
"You're not giving up now, are you, Yrinn?" A raspy voice asked from the shadows.
"Of course not, my lord," Yrinn murmured, not bothering to lift his head. "I'm just very weary. I have had very little time to rest as of late. The Dragon Lord and his friends have proven to be quite the nuisance. They have dogged my steps ever since they arrived on the island." He snorted in amusement. "It's too bad the Dragon Lord isn't an elf. He would make a valuable ally."
"What makes you think that I haven't attempted to bring him into my fold?" Hetris asked, a note of frustration in His voice. "He was... uncooperative."
"You went to speak with the Dragon Lord?" The silver haired elf asked, lifting his face from his hands in surprise.
"I did. There were a number of truths that needed to be revealed to him. Truths that he was not prepared to accept."
"Truths?" Yrinn asked in confusion.
"The Dragon Lord and his companions have suffered a number of attacks since arriving here on the island, and I thought he should know who was behind them."
"You alerted him to the fact that some of the attacks he has suffered has been by Petra's faithful?" The silver haired elf looked stunned. "Did he believe you?"
"I would think so, though one can never be sure when dealing with a human. They are irrational creatures who are quick to anger. Etha Brody attempted to deny my claims, but even he could see that I was speaking the truth."
"And even knowing that he was drawn to the island under false pretenses, the Dragon Lord still pursues us?"
"As I said," Hetris whispered from the darkness. "Humans are not always rational creatures. He refused to even consider my offer to join forces, though I offered to reward him and his companions with more wealth and power than they could ever dream. He steadfastly refused relinquish the Dragon Sword, and went as far as threatening to hand it over to the dragons themselves, giving them control over their destinies once again. I pointed out the fact that the dragons would merely give up to Draco or Estheryal, but he wouldn't be swayed."
"Why didn't you just take it from him?" Yrinn asked in confusion. "Surely you could have destroyed him and taken the Dragon Sword for yourself!"
"Unfortunately, I cannot. The power of the Dragon Sword is too great. If the Dragon Lord was to bring its full power to bear upon me, I would surely be destroyed." His eyes flashed an eerie red. "Which is why I need the elven people to be brought under my dominion. With more worshippers, my powers will grow stronger, and I will finally be able to turn the tables on Petra. We will see how She enjoys watching as Her children are slaughtered, and feeling Her powers slowly fade away until She is nothing but a shadow of Her former self." The glowing eyes fixed on Yrinn. "Which means that your success here today is vital to our plans. Do not let me down. You know what fate awaits those who displease me."
"We will be successful, my lord," Yrinn assured the dark shadow confidently. "and once our plans are complete, we will turn our full attention to the Dragon Lord and his companions."
"You had better be successful, Yrinn." Hetris warned ominously. "If my children are to flourish, Petra's children must be defeated. We cannot afford to fail now, not when we are so close to dealing the fatal blow."
"We will not fail." Yrinn said to the dark shadow confidently. "Everything is in place. Petra and Her children won't even realize what is happening until it already is too late." His expression became hesitant. "H-Has there been any word from her?"
"Yes," The dark shadow whispered as it drew back into the shadows. "She is prepared for what is to come, and is ready to play her role. She seemed quite excited, in fact.
"
"Does anyone suspect her allegiance?"
"Of course not. She has always been quite careful not to reveal herself to anyone, not even to your brothers. Only a handful of elves know her true allegiance."
A slow smile spread across the silver haired elf's face. "Good. Very good. With her ready to strike when the time comes, nothing will be able to stop us from taking our rightful places as rulers of the elven people!" He glanced at the dark figure, which had all but vanished in the dark shadows. "And when we are successful, I trust you will live up to your end of the bargain?"
"Of course, Yrinn." Hetris whispered softly. "You shall have all that you asked for, including the queen. I shall marry the two of you myself. But know this," The darks shadow's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "if you fail me, you will suffer a fate worse than death. I will take you, body and soul, and cast you into the pits of eternal punishment so that you never find reprieve. The gods themselves will tremble at the very thought of your fate."
"I understand, my lord." Yrinn assured him, the color draining from his already pale face. "We will let nothing stand in our way. After tonight, Petra's faithful will be no more. We shall slaughter them all, and purge them from this island, or force them to bow down to you in supplication."
"Go then." The dark god ordered as He disappeared altogether. "It is time for you and your brothers to emerge from the shadows, and strike down our enemies once and for all. Bring Petra to Her knees. Let Her know what it is like to watch Her children as they are slaughtered. Make Her feel the agony that I have been forced to endure for far too long."
"It will be done, my lord." The silver haired elf turned and hurried from the cottage, eager to put his final plan into action.
Chapter 19
"The city is just ahead." Snowfeather informed Damion as they hurried down the cobblestone road as fast as their tired horses would carry them. "Something seems to be going on. The streets are absolutely teeming with elves."
"Snowfeather says that something is happening in the city." The huge warrior called to the others as he slowed Storm down to a brisk trot. "The streets are packed with elves."
"Today is the last day of the Spring Dawning." Brody reminded him. "Every elf within riding distance will be in the city to witness the grand joining ceremony. Couples from every part the island wait all year long so they may be joined before our beloved goddess's statue. The entire city gathers to celebrate the new unions. The queen herself will be present to give the couples her blessing. It's really quite something to witness." The elven ambassador's eyes suddenly widened with panic. "Oh gods! That's where Yrinn is planning to strike!"
"The joining ceremony?" Raven asked with an uncertain expression. "Are you that's his target?"
Brody nodded grimly. "I'm sure. All of Petra's most devout followers will be there, including Queen Serena and Ava Delilah. If the blood elves are planning another attack, that will be their target."
They rushed on towards the city, then slowed to a stop as they approached the gates.
"Something's not right here." Brody frowned. "The guards are not at their normal posts."
"There are a dozen elves waiting just inside the gates!" Snowfeather squawked from overhead. "It's looks like they're getting ready to attack!"
"Ready yourselves!" Damion warned, yanking the Dragon Sword from its sheath. An instant later, an arrow struck him in the center of his armored chest and shattered.
"Here they come!" Shirk warned, drawing both of his heavy broadswords from their sheaths.
A dozen elves appeared in the gateway with their bows drawn and leveled at the companions' chests. They released their volley with deadly accuracy, sending the arrows whistling through the air, but stared dumbfounded as the huge warrior raised his hand and made a nonchalant gesture, causing the projectiles to stop mid-flight, then clatter harmlessly to the ground.
Storm suddenly let out a fierce whinny of anger and charged towards the elves, who stared in disbelief as the massive warhorse crashed into them without slowing, riding several of them straight into the ground, and knocking the rest from their feet. The huge brute slid to a stop, then whirled around and lashed out with a powerful kick, catching one of the elves full in the face as he attempted to regain his feet. The force of the kick reduced his face to jelly, and sent him hurling back into the heavy quartz wall with bone crushing force, where he collapsed in a twitching heap.
Damion began laying about with the Dragon Sword, chopping several of the elves down with lightening quick blows, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake. One of the elves somehow managed to regain his footing and withdrew a wicked looking dagger, then charged towards the huge warrior with a roar of rage, but suddenly stiffened as one of Raven's arrows struck him in the back of his head with a meaty thud.
Shirk joined in the fray, swinging his broadswords in wide arcs that cut down two of the elves as they attempted to flee from the chaos, then he drove the point of one of his blades directly into top of a third elf's head, causing him to stiffen horribly for several long seconds, and then collapse twitching to the cobblestones.
Raven and Brody made quick work of the last few elves, then they all gathered amidst the carnage, ignoring the growing crowd of onlookers who had appeared to investigate the disturbance.
"Yrinn and his blood elves must have already reached the city." Brody murmured with a frown. "It looks like they left these elves here to try and slow us down." He looked to Damion with a panicked expression. "We need to get to the temple before they are able to strike!"
"How will we know which elves are blood elves, and which are Petra's faithful?" Raven asked in concern.
"We'll worry about that once we get there." Damion replied, driving his heels into his huge warhorse's flanks, and setting off towards the temple. "Let's just hope that we arrive before Yrinn and his blood elves attack."
***********
"Everything is almost ready, my queen." Vlane reported to Queen Serena as they waited for the gathered crowd to settle down. "The brides and grooms are preparing to take their places, and then Ava Delilah will begin the ceremony.
"Wonderful!" The queen said in a delighted tone, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I have been waiting on this moment for ages!"
"The people certainly seem excited." Damarius noted, watching the crowd as they continued to gather around the edge of the temple plaza in the hopes of getting a good view of the ceremony. "It looks like the entire city turned out to watch."
"That's because it's a very special ceremony." The elven queen explained. "And this year may prove to be one of the most memorable!"
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see." The queen promised with a mysterious smile.
"Here comes the brides and their handmaidens." Dar pointed towards a group of twenty or so young elven women who had entered the temple plaza through a large, ornately decorated archway.
Each bride was dressed in a flowing white gown of silk and lace, and was accompanied by a young elven girl dressed in dark green dress who hurried ahead to toss flower petals at their feet. The brides slowly, but gracefully, made their way into the temple courtyard with nervous expressions, while the gathered crowd watched in anticipation.
"And there are the grooms." Dar gestured to the right side of the courtyard, where twenty or so elven men were entering the plaza through a similar archway.
Unlike the brides, the grooms were all dressed in a variety of clashing colors, each more gaudy than the last. Each of the grooms was accompanied by a young elven boy dressed in a dark brown hose and vest, who also rushed ahead to drop flower petals at their feet. The two groups came to a stop in the center of the courtyard, then turned and stared up at the massive golden statue of Petra, which seemed to stare down at the assembled with a loving smile.
They stood waiting before the massive golden statue for several long moments before Ava Delilah appeared from behind the statue wearing an elaborate silver gown which had been trimmed in golden lace. Her
expression was soft and loving as she stared down at those gathered before her, then she held her arms open wide, and began to speak in a strange lyrical language that seemed to have an almost hypnotizing quality about it.
"It's ancient elfish." Vlane answered the old wizard's unasked question. "It's rarely spoken anymore." He shook his head sadly. "Many of the younger generation do not even know how to speak the old language. It's a shame, really. I've always thought it was such a beautiful language. Now its usually only used during the various ceremonies held in Petra's honor."
"What is she saying?" Damarius asked as the high priestess of Petra continued to speak in the strange lyrical language.
"She is asking our goddess to leave Her place in the heavens, and inhabit Her likeness so She may witness the joining of these couples." Queen Serena informed him, gesturing up at the golden statue of the smiling goddess, whose eyes had begun to glow with an unearthly light.
Ava Delilah finished her appeal to the elven goddess, then watched as the grooms hurried over to stand next to their brides, while the young girls and boys who had carried the flower petals quickly scurried off towards the back of the courtyard. Once they had all taken their proper places, she paused to stare out over the assembled crowd.
"My dear friends," She started in a clear voice which carried throughout in the suddenly silent courtyard. "We have gathered here in the sight of Petra to celebrate the most joyous of occasions. Our loving goddess teaches us that sharing our lives with someone that we love is the greatest way to show our devotion to Her, and to our people as well. As you say your vows, your lives become one, and together you shall start anew, continuing in the footsteps of your ancestors, and carrying on the lines of your noble houses for another generation."
"Where are your men stationed?" Damarius asked Captain Harper quietly as the elven priestess continued to lecture the couples about the responsibilities that came with marriage, and the obligations they would have to one another as they went forth in their lives.
Omensent: Princess Of Dragons (Book 5) Page 38