He waged a terrible war against his own people and the lesser kin. But it was already far too late. Soon, the lesser kin massacred every single city. His own soldiers lost all hope. Even with their blessed gift of the wind, it was not enough to protect them from within.
He was killed in the city that these people ransacked. The wind stopped obeying and the once lush city that they called home was abandoned and buried in feet of snow.
He did not know how to feel. All he could make up of it was that, whoever was buried there, he was a hero to his people that was long gone.
“Sire, we are ready to move,” a soldier came in.
“Alright, begin the march. We will head towards to join our comrades,” he said.
End of chapter IX
X: One Arrow
Sevidon sat on the table as he tapped his fingers on it. All six generals were present during the meeting but he was lost in thought that day. He looked at Aderon who was discussing something, though he was not hearing him at all like the sound blurred to his ears.
“Sevidon!” Aderon suddenly shouted as this jolted him back to his senses.
Everyone already looked at him, “Are you alright?” asked Kaira. But he simply nodded, as though he came out from a daze.
“What was it you were asking?” he asked.
“Did you hear what I just said?” Aderon said as he looked at him sternly.
“I’m sorry, my mind was elsewhere,” Sevidon said, trying to focus again.
“Is it a woman? Back home?” Aderon said. He did not expect that kind of question, “Do you even have a woman? Either way I don’t care. You need to put your mind here,” Aderon said firmly again as he pointed at the table several times.
He wasn’t able to answer. He felt vulnerable that time because all he could do was clench his fist and nodded in agreement.
“Leave him be, Aderon,” Glaivel suddenly said. He looked at him as both Glaivel and Aderon stared at each other.
“Are elves like that, or only the half ones?” Aderon said again. But he did not react but only looked at the paper in front of him. “Are you even really a Viris?” Aderon smirked back. “Well, if the immortal being from back then was not trying to say something then I might as well leave it at that. But then again, she is an immortal being—”
“Enough, Aderon,” Glaivel said loudly. “We are done with the military procedures. We have done what you asked and reported everything you wanted to know. So are we done here?”
“Aderon, can we get on with the next topic, I’m pretty sure you have that in mind for quite some time now,” Evangeline suddenly said.
He only looked at Evangeline when their eyes suddenly met and he realized a pattern in her eyes that he felt was familiar.
“No more other than the military matters that we somehow covered immediately. I have received a report that we may as well talk about,” Aderon said then he looked at Tamiron.
He then stood as if he was there while the owl projecting him adjusted itself.
“As you may have been aware a tomb was raided in the empire, prompting me to go back. I should let you know right now that this tomb, unbeknownst to me was guarded by the most elite guards and soldiers that the empire could offer, the imperial phalanx,” then Tamiron looked at each and every one of them. “They were all found dead in the tomb.”
“Is it a form of rebellion?” Kaira asked.
He was wondering the same thing. “Now don’t jump to any conclusions yet, Kaira. But it might be, we don’t know because if they could kill all of the phalanxes, then they must be trained,” Glaivel said.
“Great, we have the eastern front here and then another one is opening up,” Aderon sluggishly said then sat down to his chair as he rubbed his forehead. “So what do you plan on doing, Tamiron?” Aderon added.
“For now we are conducting an investigation on who was buried there. Whoever those people may be were after the remains of the person buried there,” Tamiron said.
“Are you sure they aren’t just petty grave robbers?” Glaivel then asked but Tamiron just looked at him, “Right, highly trained people who killed your best men. Moving on,”
“And, when will this be over then?” Aderon quickly asked.
“The Queen had already made the arrangements possible to finish this quickly,” Tamiron answered.
“You better then. We can’t deal with two problems at once. We will be surrounded if it does turn out to be a rebellion,” Aderon said.
Everybody was clearly worried, especially Tamiron. One phalanx soldier was a force to be reckoned with, an entire battalion of them would basically be unstoppable. Yet a handful of them were killed. This was not good at all.
A gust of wind suddenly entered the tent as Ravaen entered the tent. They did not expect him to be back this soon.
“It’s a good thing the Mystic King is back. We need you here—” Aderon said but Ravaen seemed to ignore him. Ravaen quickly looked around and locked his sights on Evangeline and paced towards her quickly.
“You devious wench!” Ravaen shouted. “How dare you order an attack in my kingdom’s holy place?”
“What are you talking about? I know nothing of what happened there,” Evangeline explained herself calmly, but Ravaen was not backing down.
“The damage that you caused my people and my kingdom will not be forgotten you witch!” Ravaen drew his sword when Sevidon finally intervened.
“Ravaen, enough! What is going on?” Sevidon said.
“I can’t stop now, Sevidon! She acts like our friend then stabs us in the back! Ahktum Temple was attacked by an Orderian!” Ravaen claimed. Shocked as everyone else, he waited for an explanation from Evangeline who still held her unwavering face with no reaction at all.
“What are you talking about? No one from the Orderian would do such a thing. Even if I did order them, my council will put me in my place,” Evangeline said.
“You blew the insides of the temple. You killed the guards and the waveniers — our defenseless priests! This will not go away so easily, Evangeline!” Ravaen shouted at her.
“All of the magisters, whom are very capable of what you are saying and destroying a temple or a tomb, are accounted for here in the United Forces, you can even do a head count yourself if you want,” Evangeline said then she stood as Ravaen slammed his fist on the table. “I will have someone give you a list then. I will not let myself be humiliated like this by being accused something that I am not part of.” She left promptly, leaving everyone speechless.
Sevidon patted Ravaen’s shoulder but he shrugged it off. Ravaen immediately grabbed a seat while he himself returned to his, still not knowing how to react. He quietly observed everyone, especially Ravaen. He somehow snapped out of it because of what Ravaen said.
“I think we can rule out rebellion in the empire now,” Glaivel suddenly said.
“What do you mean?” Kaira asked curiously.
“I don’t know about you guys but this doesn’t seem to be a mere coincidence,” Glaivel answered and Aderon seemed to agree.
“As much as I hate to admit it but Glaivel is right. The two tombs or temple or whatever they are, are being raided. Tamiron, do you have any idea why?” Aderon asked him. He seemed distraught as well when as he leaned closer to Tamiron’s image.
“Well, what I can say is the coffins or tombs — whoever was buried there are gone,” Tamiron said.
“What will the corpse be even of use to them? How?” he asked.
“Do you know any reason as to why?” Kaira asked but Tamiron only shook his head. She turned to Ravaen, “How about yours? Who was buried there?”
“A priest of ours told me it was someone named The Hawk,” Ravaen answered.
“Do you know him then?” Kaira asked again.
“I honestly have no idea. But I already had the council look into that immediately. However, given that the priests where on it about what was inside that tomb, I say they are rather important,” Ravaen said as his foot tapped out of fr
ustration, then he looked at Tamiron. “I’m sure Tamiron just found out about that detail as well.”
Tamiron sighed, “The tomb was built for a king — still not sure if it was indeed a king but he or she was important. Too important to be hidden away like that,” he said as he crossed his arms.
“If they really are a person of significance, we might as well consider that all of the kingdoms will have one of their own. But to be honest this should be handled by the regional governors, not you people,” Aderon said and stood uneasily.
“I already said that no one can set foot at the Ahktum Temple without me! Are you even listening?” Ravaen slammed his fist on the table.
“Okay calm down Ravaen.” Kaira pushed him back to his seat. “Aderon is right. But we at least need to know why they are being raided in the first place,” Kaira said.
“We have already established the idea that these people are of great importance back in the day. So we may want to consider cultists or rebels trying to use them as symbols,” Tamiron said.
“So they are rebels?” Glaivel cleared it out but Tamiron shrugged at the idea.
“With what we have so far, that is the best we can come up with. Her Majesty already has people looking into that idea,” Tamiron explained.
“For now, let us let this sit as it is. We are currently occupied at the eastern fronts.” Then Aderon looked at Tamiron, “Finish what you need to finish there. We need everyone here and that includes you.” Then Aderon looked at Ravaen.
“Since Ravaen is back, Sevidon will be handing back command of the mystic army. Report all of the things the scouts gathered to get him up to speed,” Aderon ordered. “I suggest all of you prep up your tombs or temples that hold such important bodies or artifacts. Whatever might be useful to any enemy, no matter how absurd it is. They might come for yours next. I will be giving you all time to relay the messages to your respective kingdoms,” Aderon said as he stood, seemingly ending the meeting then.
“Wait, Aderon,” Kaira called out to him as he was about to leave, “May I take a leave as well? For my kingdom, I need to let the Mistrell know of this personally,” she asked but Aderon just held her shoulder.
“I am sorry Kaira but you and your army, along with your Arad-Assassins are too important here in the camp. Without you, we will not get such good results,” Aderon explained to her and patted her by the shoulder several times, “Just talk to them using the owls. It would be better and best for everyone.” Aderon said.
“Aderon please, let me leave,” Kaira pleaded.
“I said no, Kaira. I can’t have everyone suddenly going home, I already had one insubordination. I can’t let you do this and that is final,” Aderon said sternly.
Kaira just stood there and did not notice Sevidon coming from behind.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I’m just worried about home, that’s all,” Kaira said, sounding upset.
“We don’t have a choice. We can’t just leave one after the other then go back like it’s nothing,” he said as he tried to comfort Kaira.
“I’ll just go back to my camp. Let mother know of the situation,” Kaira said then she left as well.
Tamiron, who was present using an owl, said his farewell then disappeared. Glaivel looked at him, as though wondering.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing. Are you alright?” Glaivel asked him.
“I’m fine,” he said then he caught a glimpse of Ravaen leaving the tent and heading towards the falcon camps. He immediately followed him.
“Ravaen!” he called out to him but it appeared as though he could not hear him. He got close enough and finally got his attention.
“What?” Ravaen asked grudgingly.
“About what you said, the attack on your temple,” he asked.
“What about it?” Ravaen clarified.
He could sense that Ravaen did not want to talk about it. But he had to know something. “How can you be certain that it was an Orderian who attacked Ahktum temple?”
Ravaen looked around and somehow tried to whisper, “The survivor of the attack, he told me that a bright pink light burst from the temple and pried open the temple floor where The Hawk was buried,” Ravaen said as they continued to walk towards the camp.
He could not help but wonder what they had wanted with corpses. “Thank you for answering. I’m just glad someone survived the raid in your realm,” he said as he tried to assure Ravaen.
“I was too,” he said and then Ravaen left.
Sevidon clenched his fists hard and walked back towards the command tent, still feeling frustrated with himself.
It was today, he thought. It kept echoing since the moment he woke up. It was always this day that his mind became boggled, clouded, filled with things long gone and remained in the past.
He thought the past would always haunt him. That fateful day that marked his death. He leaned his arms on the table as he took deep breaths, trying clear his mind of self-doubt.
“Sire,” A guard entered suddenly with an owl latched on his arm.
“What is it?” he exclaimed.
“An owl, a message was sent by Graveloth, Sire,” the guard explained.
“Why are you bringing it to me? Run it first with the commander,” he explained to the guard.
“We can’t find him, sire, and you are the one next in command so I need to give it to you. It is urgent,” the guard explained.
He looked at the guard and nodded when he proceeded to rest the owl on top of a perch. It then began to show a message from Graveloth.
I had this message stored for some time and I feel like this is a good time to let you all know. Since contacting Aderon, the Kra’en army is already on the move, under my command as the Lord Paramount.
“Ah, good for him,” he said as the message of Graveloth continued.
I need to inform you however that we have encountered a slight delay because of the attack that occurred in one of our temples near Mathron.
It seems as though it was an Orderian of strong power and magic — as powerful as Evangeline. But I’m not sure. All I could make of the face of the attacker was his glowing eyes of maroon and pink with a symbol in his eyes, it seemed familiar but I’m not too sure. But make no mistake we will be on schedule bringing all of the things we need, including the kra’enite needed for the war effort. I will be going now. See you in months’ time.
And the message ended.
“Whatever you have heard keep it to yourself,” he said as he looked at the guard who was stunned as well. “Leave,” he said as the guard was about to take the owl with him he stopped him, “Leave it here.” And the guard obeyed and left.
He was mad and worried and even frightened at that point, even with Tamiron on their side. If Evangeline was truly the one causing these disturbances, they would be no match against her. He took a deep breath as he looked at the owl that was waiting for him.
A sword sliced through the owl, cutting it in half until its remnants disappeared and disintegrated in the air.
No one can know but me, he thought.
KAIRA JUST ARRIVED at the command tent of the Tigris camp. As she entered the tent another guard entered with a very jittery owl.
“What’s wrong with it?” she curiously asked.
“I don’t know, Princess. Up until moments ago it was fine but suddenly it was like in shock, then this started to happen,” the guard said as he struggled to put it on a perch but the owl did not let go of the guard’s arm.
“Is it fine if you just let it latch on your arm?” she asked.
“It’s okay, Princess, whatever you need,” the guard said and he stood carefully.
She then began to chant the spell and owl began to project an image. It was an unclear image but it somehow cleared up until showed the mistrell of the Middle Kingdom.
“My daughter, can you see me?” the mistrell asked.
“Yes, Mother. How about you, can you hear and see me fine?”
she asked but her mother seemed to be struggling.
“I’m sorry, Kaira. The owls seemed to be a little agitated today. They stopped flying and started shaking,” the Mistrell said.
“It’s fine, Mother. We need to make this quick. There are people out there that have been attacking tombs and temples of importance. They’ve already attacked a secret tomb in the empire along with the Ahktum Temple of the Mystic Realms,” she explained.
“Hmm, that is of great worry then. What did the empire find out about this along with the Mystic Realms?” the Mistrell asked.
“As of the moment both kingdoms are conducting their own investigations. But mother, they believe that someone is behind orchestrating all of this,” she said.
“So what you are saying is that they still don’t have any idea?” her mother said to which she nodded.
“Let us try to avoid this happening in our lands. I want you to begin the fortification of the tomb of the Lioness. We can’t take any chances here, mother,” she requested.
“I think that will not be necessary. But as you requested my daughter I will send the best of what’s left of the army there for now,” the mistrell assured her daughter.
“Thank you so much, Mother. I’m just bothered by the thought that someone is doing this. We still don’t know what for,” she said with a smile.
“Given the information from the Empire and Mystic Realms, they rather seem important, don’t you think?” the mistrell questioned her, to her surprise. She did not know what to say when her mother stood and moved close. “If they attack the tomb of the Lioness, then we may be at a brink of another great war, my daughter.” Her heart suddenly beat faster. “It will not be a pretty sight. But until now, the Lioness have sympathizers. They worship her as the Sun Goddess. The fallen daughter of the Lion Sun. She is their symbol. Remember that not all of the Tigris people are of the tigris race, my daughter. Just like not all Trasidians are purely Trasidians. The Lioness fought with our ancestors for Tigeria, but she lost, doomed by her own prowess and arrogance. That’s why we have prevailed. But her arrogance and viciousness in the past are still overshadowed by her achievements. That of which none of our past mistrells and arioras have matched. That thought alone should give you an idea of what we could be up against.”
Shardon's Guise Page 9