by Darren Lee
Lian laughed a bit and nodded. Sarath led him to a small wooden table in a back corner of the inn. The two sat across from one another.
Sarath leaned forward on the table. “So, where are you from?”
“I’ve lived in the forest,” said Lian. “Far to the northeast of here for most of my life.”
“Why leave?” she asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “See all the wonders Zaneen has to offer? Apply your skills as a mercenary or some other hired goon? Certainly not to rescue a blonde-haired green-eyed beauty in distress.”
“My mother was murdered,” said Lian. “I’m searching for her killer.”
Sarath’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. What about your father?”
Lian shook his head. “He never cared for us. He died when I was a baby.”
“I can relate to that,” she said. “My folks handed me over to the Lord of Allendale when I was eleven.”
Sarath’s tale was familiar to Lian. She had suffered the same plight he had been subjected to as a child. Lian remained quiet for a moment. He took a deep breath and smiled slightly.
Sarath gave him a goofy grin. “What? Cat got your tongue?”
Lian shook his head. “It’s a strange coincidence.”
Sarath raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. “What is?”
“My mother fled with me,” he said, “from Allendale, when I was a few days old, to avoid that fate.”
Sarath looked intently at Lian. She had never met someone with such a similar story. She studied his face. His eyes. Then, she stared into them and smiled briefly before quickly looking away. “I’m glad you got away. I take it the Lord’s men killed your father?”
Lian nodded. “Something like that.” Sarath looked back to Lian. He looked into her green eyes. “When did the Lord let you leave?”
Sarath shook her head and smirked. “He didn’t.” She let out a sigh. “I probably should have stayed. I hear the castle is under new management these days… as well as the Kingdom.” Sarath looked away and gritted her teeth. “Makes perfect sense… that bitch.”
Lian looked at her with intrigue. “Huh?”
“Oh nothing,” she said before she let out a sigh. “I just knew the new Queen personally when she was but a lowly sorceress. She had Lord Draken wrapped around her finger since the day she arrived.”
Lian leaned in closer and spoke with a low voice, “Sorceress?”
Sarath nodded. “Most people dismissed it as rumors.” Sarath leaned in closer to Lian and glanced around the room. “But I saw it. She has powers. Magic, she calls it. Same thing you hear about in bedtime stories.”
Lian looked away momentarily and then nodded. “Tell me about her. What does she look like?”
“Dark hair, beautiful skin,” she said. “Big breasts. The figure most women would kill for.”
Lian smirked. “I’m sure you’re far prettier.” Lian’s eyes widened at what he had just said. He looked away, blushing.
Sarath giggled a bit and grinned. “Aren’t you sweet?” She took Lian’s hand and pulled him closer to her, whispering, “Why so curious about the Queen?”
Lian whispered, “Kynlynn soldiers. They murdered my mother.”
Sarath’s eyes widened at Lian’s words. “I had heard that the Queen sent some of her forces north after Elves. I also heard they were massacred.” Sarath glanced around once again for anybody paying close attention. “She always said they were the ones that unleashed the dragon on Kynlynn. Word is that the dragon killed Lord Draken right after he became king and took Roxees as his queen. I always dismissed her claims of Elves as nonsense.” Sarath leaned back and crossed her arms. “Are you an elf?”
Lian smiled and leaned back, taking note of Sarath’s serious expression. “No, I’m no elf. I’m from Allendale, remember?”
Sarath giggled a bit. “Yeah, that’s right. I may have noticed the pointy ears.”
Lian grinned. “Maybe.”
“So,” she said. “Are the Elves real?”
Lian glared at her. He shifted his eyes around to all of the nearby people. “It doesn’t matter.”
Sarath nodded. “I understand, stupid question.” She leaned in. “And the soldiers? Were they massacred?”
Lian nodded his head. “They won’t be coming back.”
“If they’re gone… then you…” she said, staring upon Lian in disbelief.
Lian nodded. “That’s right.”
“You’ll never get to her,” she said, shaking her head. “The majority of the Kynlynn army has been summoned to Allendale.”
Lian smirked. “I’ll manage.”
Sarath glared at Lian. She leaned across the table and whispered, “I don’t know who you think you are, but that little demonstration won’t be enough to defeat an entire army.” She leaned back. “You’re just one man.”
A smug look came across Lian’s face. “I’m capable of far more than what anybody can comprehend.”
Sarath took notice of four Kynlynn soldiers entering the Rose. She quickly changed the subject. “Yet, you don’t even know what a prostitute is.”
Lian looked to the soldiers then back to Sarath. “No. Like I said, I’ve lived in the forest for most of my life.”
Sarath smirked. “What about pointy-eared girlfriends?”
Lian chuckled. “No. No women.”
A sly smile crept across Sarath’s face. “Men?”
Lian burst out laughing. “No, I fancy women… but it was just me and my mother. I was always too busy to even take notice of girls.”
Sarath smiled at Lian’s innocence. “Oh… so no women at all? Not even a kiss?”
Lian shook his head. “No. Never.”
“That’s a shame,” she said, smiling. “You’re quite handsome.”
Lian blushed a bit at the compliment. No one but his mother had ever called him handsome. Lian stumbled over his words, “Thank you? I uh, I think.”
Sarath shook her head playfully. “Hasn’t anyone ever complimented you before?”
“Not on my looks, no,” he said. “Well, no one but my mother.”
“Well, she had good eyes,” she said. “Even if she was your mother.” Sarath took note of the soldiers inspecting each table and slowly working their way towards them. She glanced at them then looked to Lian. “How about we go upstairs… and I show you a lot of things that I can’t here?” Sarath leaned forward towards Lian. “Away from wandering eyes… and most importantly ears.”
Lian was intrigued by her proposition. “Alright, Sarath. Lead the way.”
Sarath smiled and nodded. She took Lian’s hand and led him up the old, rickety stairs. They entered a room that had a simple down feather bed, barely big enough for two.
“Make yourself comfortable,” said Sarath.
Lian nodded and removed the sword that was slung from his back. He stood it against the wall next to the door. “What now?”
Sarath smiled and looked deviously at Lian. “We must discuss terms.”
Lian took a step toward her, his hear beating faster and faster. “Terms?”
“Yes,” she said, stepping closer to him. “How much are you going to pay me to help you?” Sarath winked at him. “In many ways.”
Lian smirked. “Name your price.”
“I knew I liked you,” she said with fair amount of sass. “How about all those Lynn’s you took from that pair of morons?”
Lian nodded. “Agreed.”
“Excellent,” she said. Sarath looked at him seductively. “Now, come here.”
Lian approached her slowly. Sarath slowly ran her hands down Lian’s chest. She looked up into his eyes. He looked down into hers.
Sarath bit her lip. “Kiss me.”
Lian remained silent as he slowly leaned in to her. His lips met hers softly. Sarath bit at his lip as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then, she pulled his mouth to her neck. Lian began kissing slowly down her neck.
Sarath breathed deeply. “I
can help you…” She squeezed him tightly and whispered, “Don’t stop kissing me. No one must know anything is out of the ordinary.”
Lian paused for a split second and resumed kissing her. Sarath let out a pleasure-filled moan while she pulled away from Lian. She quickly removed his shirt and pushed him back onto the bed. She climbed on top of him slowly and removed her tight shirt.
Lian stared at her bare chest. He was captivated by every inch of her beauty. He was caught in the moment, intertwined with his rushing emotions and not focused on what Sarath had told him. Sarath leaned down and began kissing her way up his chest. Her lips met his once again, and the two began kissing passionately.
Sarath broke the kiss and moaned into Lian’s ear before whispering, “There is a way into the castle from the river. It leads into the kitchen. I know the way.”
Lian listened and then he pulled Sarath close to him. He grabbed her hips and tossed her onto her back. He pressed down on top of her and ran his lips across her breasts. Sarath let out a loud moan of pleasure, shocked at Lian’s actions.
Sarath look a deep breath. She looked down to Lian while he kissed across her chest. “I take that as a yes.”
Lian just looked up at her and kept kissing her vigorously. The hours passed as the two found great pleasure in one another’s company. A few hours before dawn, Sarath opened her eyes and looked over to Lian. He slept peacefully with her nestled close to him. She thought about her years at the castle. The horrors she had seen, the vile acts she had been forced to commit with Arthur as a child. The awful power that Queen Roxees possessed. Finally, to her near fatal fall from the tower.
Sarath reached up to her head and felt the scar she had earned during her plummet to the river. “I can’t go back there,” she said to herself. “What was I thinking.” She slowly eased from the bed, gathered her clothes from the floor, and got dressed as quickly and quietly as possible.
Sarath looked to the still sleeping Lian. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I hope you abandon this fool errand. There is something special about you. You don’t deserve to be killed.” She wiped a single tear from her eye. Sarath approached the door and noticed the sword propped against the wall. “I’ll take his sword,” she said to herself. “If he insists on going to his death, he’ll have to buy a new one.” She slowly picked up the sword and eased out of the door.
Dawn’s light pierced through the windows of the room. Lian slowly opened his eyes. “That was amaz--” Lian looked over to see Sarath gone. He quickly looked around, seeing no trace of the woman. Then, he quickly looked to see that his sword was gone. He snarled then shouted, “Dammit! How could she?” He rose up and dropped his head. “I thought maybe…” he said to himself. “Dammit, Lian, you’re a fool.”
Lian quickly got dressed and rushed down to the lower floor of the inn. “Where is she?” he shouted at the innkeeper
The innkeeper looked at Lian, puzzled. “Who?”
“Sarath,” he said. “She robbed me!”
“Aye, I haven’t seen the lass,” said the innkeeper. “That one can be tricky. I trust ye had a good time though,” said the innkeeper, chuckling.
Lian glared at the innkeeper and shouted, “Fuck you!” He rushed outside and saw that there were no horses at the trough. Lian clinched his fists and shook his head. “My horse too? Come on!”
Lian quickly ran through the town. He darted into the clearing towards the forest and whistled loudly. Shortly, he heard a distinctive howl. Kane emerged from the forest and ran toward him. Lian came to a halt as Kane met him. Kane looked at him and tilted his head in curiosity.
Lian shifted his eyes away from Kane. “I… I got robbed.”
Kane whined a bit and shook his head.
Lian sighed. “Don’t give me that. It’s not my fault.” Lian paced in circles though the grass. “She caught me off guard. She was supposed to help me. I’m certain she’s the one Elintae sent me to find.” Kane just stared at Lian and shook his head once again. Lian shook his head as well. “Kane, can you smell her on me?” Kane leaned in and sniffed him, followed by a snort and nod. Lian let out a sigh of relief. “Can you track her?” Kane once again nodded. Lian turned to face Riverwood. “Alright… She has our horse and a head start. We have to hurry.”
Chapter 17: Alinshahar
Elinar stared into the distance at the rolling grassy hills. He walked alongside his white horse that carried Teelia. He looked back at her and the rest of the survivors and then to the afternoon sky, letting out a sigh. “Where are they?” he thought. “A day and a half late.” He saw a single rider crest a hill in the distance. A smile crept across his face as he chuckled. Elinar pointed and shouted, “There!”
Teelia slowly raised her head and looked into the distance. The single rider approached quickly. A hundred more appeared behind him. The other survivors began to shout and cheer. Teelia looked to Elinar and smiled. “Our child just may be born in Alinshahar, after all.”
Elinar looked at Teelia gleefully. “It will be a great joy.”
The stampeding horses approached them quickly. The first rider raised his hand and signaled those he commanded. Horses behind him slowed to a halt while he rushed to meet the survivors.
The soldier came to a stop before Elinar. He stared Elinar sternly, slight breeze blowing his long blonde hair. “Commander Elinar Durothill,” he said.
Elinar returning his stern stare. “Commander Daleth Sorasan,” he said before a grin crept across his face. “It is good to see you, old friend.”
Daleth smirked and nodded. He then looked to the elven survivors. Daleth saw the blood stains, the wounded, and the despair on all their faces.
He dismounted his horse and approached Elinar. “Elinar, my old friend. What has happened?”
Elinar looked to the survivors and took a deep breath. “We were attacked.”
A puzzled look came across Daleth’s face. “Attacked?”
Elinar looked back to him and nodded. “Yes, humans.”
Daleth slowly shook his head. “You were discovered?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “The attack… there was no logic behind it.” Elinar stepped closer to Daleth and spoke with a low tone, “They could not have known we were there. I assure you, there was no human activity remotely near our outpost. There must be something unknown to us.”
Daleth nodded slowly. “I suspect much will be revealed to us in the coming days and weeks. I doubt such a large element stumbled upon you by mistake. This should raise great alarm in Alinshahar.” Daleth once again looked to the survivors. “It appears you lost a good many people. How large was this element?”
Elinar looked at Daleth, his eyes filled with dismay. “Fifty or so. Well-armed infantry and archers.” Elinar gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. “It was a surprise. Many of us burned before they could even rally to defend themselves.”
Daleth placed his hand on Elinar’s shoulder. “From the sound of it, you should have all been slaughtered.” A slight smile crept across his face. “Saving as many as you did is a victory in itself.”
“If it wasn’t for Lian…” he said while stepping away. “We most likely would have been.”
Daleth raised an eyebrow. “Who is this Lian?”
Elinar smirked. “The boy. Telindell’s descendent.”
“A human?” he said. Daleth chuckled lightly. “He stood with Elves? That hasn’t happened since before the Seclusion Act. I do not see him amongst you.”
Elinar let a sigh. “No. He refused to come…” Elinar glanced to Teelia. “He lost his mother. She was killed during the battle. Lyssa was a good friend.”
Teelia spoke up softly and said, “I tried to convince him to come. He insisted on a fool’s errand.”
Daleth crossed his arms. “A fool’s errand?”
Elinar quickly shook his head. “Yes… he swore vengeance.” Elinar smiled. “However, before he left, he asked that I deliver a message to my father. One of great importance.�
�
Daleth paused for a moment in thought before speaking. “What sort of message would a human have for the great Oryn Durothill?”
Elinar chuckled. “As you said, old friend, we will learn much in the coming days and weeks.”
Daleth looked back to his riders. “I suspect the time has come, then?”
Elinar nodded. “If not now, it rapidly approaches.”
Daleth nodded and looked to Teelia. “A child? Elinar’s?”
Teelia glanced to Elinar, blushing slightly. She nodded to Daleth. “Yes, any time now.”
Daleth looked to Elinar with a troubled expression. “You were not granted the right of parentage… were you?”
Elinar glanced to Teelia. “No. We defied the council with my father’s blessing. He has kept this secret. He is confident the Seclusion Act is coming to an end.
Daleth shook his head with a smirk. “A secret that will soon be known to all, I’m sure. It will cause quite the commotion among our people. A joyous occasion nonetheless. I am happy for you both.”
“Thank you, my friend,” said Elinar, smiling. Elinar looked at the riders in the distance. “I didn’t expect such a large unit. You must be at least one hundred strong. I even see a small element of magic wielders.”
Daleth smirked. “Rumors of the Dalronians have spread within Alinshahar. When it became known that it was your father pushing for the reinforcements, many volunteered. Many of those volunteers fought with your father when he was still General. Just like the majority of our people, their loyalty lies with your father above the council.”
Elinar let a sigh of relief. “That is good to hear. I fear the news I bring will split the Collective Council. We will need my father to unify and lead our people once again.” Elinar looked away and clenched his fists. “They knew where we were. Something very dark is happening in Kynlynn.”
Daleth stepped closer to Elinar and spoke quietly, “Do you think it is an act of war?”
Elinar shook his head. “Not directly. Let us hope not. If we go to war with the humans, it will be the death of our people and humans alike.”