by D L Colon
*****
Glaycol has submerged himself in the bloodlust clouding his mind. He blocks out everything else that is going on and focuses on killing each guard that had put his hands on Vlamarine.
Everyone in the room stays away from Glaycol as his bloodlust has overtaken the throne room. The guards keep falling to his attack. Ethan and Jasorian only killed the two guards in the door that leads to the common area because Glaycol has killed each one of the guards that escorted them.
Glaycol doesn’t notice when Vlamarine opens the doors and kills the two guards in front of him, he only perceives her as a threat and goes straight for the kill without realizing who she is. Swinging his great sword to sever her head from her body, something in his mind clicks and brings him out of the bloodlust in time to stop the sword from reaching her neck. The moment he stops, everyone in the room feels the gust of wind that it released.
Glaycol sees Vlamarine’s hands and understanding comes crashing down on him as he realizes the error of his initial reaction. She did what she did because she was improvising in the situation that had arisen. All she wanted was to go straight for the kill.
The women who were under Hotias’ harem stopped screaming, but they don't know what is going to happen to them. All they know is that their life of pleasure and doing nothing has ended.
Ethan goes to his sister to see how she is holding up, but she's calm as always. She turns to Ethan and asks, calmly, “Who is he, Ethan? I can tell that he is not your average human, he stands out from the rest. Is he nobility? Nobility are the ones that stand out from the rest in terms of warrior skills, and everything else, too, but he also sparks interest and curiosity in people.”
Ethan smiles and answers, “You are forgetting one thing, my dear sister. He also inspires leadership. He makes you want to follow him. No matter how crazy the adventure may seem, you know he will make it work. To answer your question, as far as my knowledge goes, he isn’t nobility. He is Glaycol Master, also known as the Dragon Slayer, and I tell you Tricia, this title is no joke, he truly is the Dragon Slayer. I have seen him personally face a Dragon and kill it in a straight on fight.”
After getting her answers, Tricia starts thinking for a couple of minutes before she turns to Glaycol asks, “Glaycol Master, what brings you to the Elven Kingdom?”
Glaycol stops talking to Vlamarine and turns around. When he sees the female Elf who called his name, he responds to her question, “I came in search of help, but to also kill your King. It came to my knowledge through Ethan, that your King was thinking of using us as a scapegoat in the war to maintain his troops. After the humans were decimated he was going to use our land to extend his terrain.”
“You have accomplished one of the two things you came to do. The King is dead, but there’s no one to grant you the help you seek. Without a King you don’t get your help. What are you going to do now, Glaycol Master?”
“I came looking for help, and I will get it. Since the King is dead, the throne goes to the next one in line, which I am assuming is you, Tricia Iron Born. I know there are some preparations that need to be done and there is some protocol that must to followed, like a mourning ceremony for your King, but I also know how hierarchy works.”
Tricia is about say something when the doors of the throne room burst open and guards come running in. Seeing the scene before them, Esoj asks, “What’s the meaning of this, Your Majesty?”
Tricia smiles and answers, “It is as you have seen, Esoj. There was a fight in this room and I can say, with the utmost relief, that the King is dead.”
Surprise crosses his face but before he can say anything the guards burst out into cheers, knowing that the tyrant is dead. The guards sheath their swords and Esoj asks, “Who did it?”
Tricia points at Vlamarine and answers, “It was Vlamarine Stone who did such a feat.”
Chapter 19
Esoj can't believe that Vlamarine killed the King. There must have been a reason for that. Esoj walks toward Glaycol and asks, “Mr. Master, could you spare a few minutes of your time?"
Glaycol looks at Tricia and says, "Excuse me, your Majesty.”
Glaycol motions for Esoj to lead the way and Esoj leads Glaycol out of the throne room. Once they are out of earshot Esoj turns to Glaycol and starts speaking in an angry whisper, "What's the meaning of this, Glaycol? I thought you were the one going to kill the King. I never expected you to use Vlamarine for such a thing. I thought you had honor, but I guess you don't care who you use as long you get what you want.”
Glaycol quickly realizes that Esoj doesn't know anything about what happened to Vlamarine, so instead of getting angry, Glaycol circles around until Esoj has his back to the throne room doors. Once he does Glaycol smiles and raises his voice for everyone in the throne room to hear, “And what of it? Your worthless King is dead. Yes, I used Vlamarine to kill him, because I'm a manipulate person who doesn't want to dirty his hand with someone else’s affair.”
Glaycol is saying this while walking toward Esoj, who keeps stepping back. Once he is pressed against the throne room door, Glaycol kicks him in the chest, breaking the doors down and sending him flying through them. Before Esoj hits the floor Glaycol grabs him by the collar of his shirt and, letting his killing intent out, he says in a menacing voice, "Next time, get your facts straight before jumping to accuse me. Next time I won't say anything. I will kill you where you stand, worthless Captain of the Guards.”
Everyone stares quietly at Esoj; who's expression shows fear of what he just saw in Glaycol’s eyes. He doesn't know what happened, but one thing is right, he judged the situation incorrectly.
Vlamarine walks up bedside them and looks at Glaycol, "Love, what happened?"
Glaycol takes a deep breath and answers, "Your so called friend, the Captain of the Guards, accused me of using you to kill the King. If he knew what you went through he would have thought twice before making that accusation against me.”
Vlamarine walks toward Esoj and slaps him across the face. "Glaycol didn't even know I was going to kill the King. I had to get revenge at that motherfucker for what he did to me. I never told you this Esoj, but the day I was taken to the King’s chambers I know you were taken into his Harem and you had sex with all of the girls there. I didn't have sex with him, I was raped by him. I know that you heard the guards mention it a few times, but you never looked into it. I know what you did because I got to watch it happen.”
Esoj is shocked to hear what happened to Vlamarine, but he is more shocked that she knew what he did. "I thought those comments they made were just lies, rumors to taint the image of the King, so I never looked into it.”
Vlamarine closes her hand on a fist and hits Esoj right in the nose before she turns and storms away with Glaycol right behind her. Glaycol doesn’t need to look at her to know that she is crying, and that Esoj’s comment hurt her. The one person she expected to believe in her never did anything to stop what was going on. Instead he had fun with the females that the King gave him out of boredom. Glaycol quickly catches up to her and grabs her by the hand. “Want to ride away for a few hours?”
Vlamarine wipes her tears while sniffing, and answers, “Yes, Glaycol, take me away from this nightmare.”
Glaycol and Vlamarine go back to her house and Glaycol goes to Zodiac, who apparently knows he is looking for him. Zodiac, sensing something in Glaycol, speaks to him; Where are we going?
Glaycol, speaking like he would speak to any other person, answers, “Zodiac, I need to take her away for a little while. This place holds too many bad memories for her and I need to show her the world out there. I just don’t know where to take her.”
On our way here I sensed a special stream that my race would go to meet with the others around the world. It is around where you sensed the dragon, but there’s no dragon in this area. I used my senses while you were gone and the stream is what gave that feeling to keep people away. I will take you there but you will have to let me lead you and you must not come
back by yourself or the stream will summon the guardian to protect itself. I’m not worried about you. I’m more worried of the stream losing its protection.
Glaycol nods and says, “I understand Zodiac. I will let you takes us there and I won’t go there unless you are with me.”
Zodiac nods and snorts as Glaycol goes back to the house and gets Vlamarine, who has changed her clothes, but has kept her weapons with her in case of danger. Zodiac is waiting for them in front of the house when they come out and as soon as they mount him he starts galloping like death is right behind them.
Vlamarine wraps her arms around Glaycol’s waist and asks. “Where are we going?”
Glaycol looks back at her and answers, “If I tell you, you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
Vlamarine smiles into his back and responds, “Why don’t you try me?”
Glaycol grins and answers, “I don’t even know where we are going. Zodiac is the one in control of the situation.”
Vlamarine laughs and says, “I must agree with you, Glaycol, I find that hard to believe, but I know you wouldn’t lie to me about something like this.”
Glaycol nods and tells her, “Just enjoy the ride, babe.”
*****
Glaycol and Vlamarine have been riding for a while with Glaycol letting Zodiac lead the way as he agreed to, but Glaycol is paying attention to where they are going in case something happens and he has to send Zodiac away to protect him.
Suddenly, they come to a complete stop and they see a path, but they cannot cross while on Zodiac. Glaycol dismounts first and extends his hand to Vlamarine to help her get off. He lifts her by the waist and puts her on the ground, which makes her blush a little. Once they are on the ground, Zodiac starts walking and Glaycol and Vlamarine follow right behind him. Glaycol and Vlamarine are talking to each other about what they like and what they don't when they hear the sound of water running. They move from behind Zodiac to see around him. When they see a red-haired female with something small in her hands. Paying a little more attention Glaycol sees another female with wings as they start walking toward her. When Glaycol steps on top of a little branch and it breaks both females look their way and run toward them to attack them. Vlamarine and Glaycol already have their weapons out when Zodiac steps in front of them. The little female with wings flies toward Zodiac and lands on his head. After landing, she turns to face Glaycol and asks him and Vlamarine, “Who are you two? And what are you doing with His Majesty?”
Glaycol and Vlamarine look at each other before Glaycol turns to the little female, “I am Glaycol Master and the female with me is Vlamarine Stone. The horse is my companion, Zodiac. I don’t know who you’re calling, ‘His Majesty’.”
The redhead, who has been quiet until now, asks, “Are you truly Glaycol Master, the son of the greatest hunter, Boca Master?”
Glaycol, in an irritated voice, responds, “Yes, I am his son. After all, only a hunter from the Masters family can say that they can kill a dragon and I am that person. I am the Dragon Slayer.”
The redhead walks toward Zodiac, puts a hand on his head, and caresses him as she says, “You have chosen well, King of the Horses.”
Suddenly Glaycol hears a voice only known to him say, “I know I have. He is the only person who has treated me like a companion and not like an animal. Long time no see Dreya Skull, and how it’s going, Silver Wings? How are the Fairies of the Stream of Horse Kingdom doing?”
Glaycol looks at Zodiac in shock and asks, “How can I hear you speak clearly?”
Zodiac turns to look at Glaycol and answers, “I can’t speak when I’m away from my Kingdom, when I’m away I can communicate telepathically, but here I can speak freely.”
Glaycol looks at Zodiac and asks, “You knew this was the gate of your Kingdom?”
Zodiac nods, “Yes, but that’s not something I can say openly.”
Glaycol responds, “I understand. You must protect your people, too.”
Glaycol, for some reason, remembers hearing that name before, but he can’t seem to put his finger on it. Dreya Skull looks at him and responds to his unasked question, “Yes Glay, you may not remember due to the effect of the stream, but we were childhood friends. You used to come here a lot with your father to visit and spend time with me and the fairies. Some will still remember you. You may have changed, but that won’t matter to the Fairies because they will see what others can’t see.”
Suddenly memories come flooding through him as he sheaths his great sword and walks toward Dreya. He gives her a warm hug, which she returns, and he says, “It’s been a long time since we last saw each other. How are your parents doing?”
Glaycol motions for Vlamarine to come closer and before Dreya can say anything he tells her, “This is my girlfriend, soon to be wife, Vlamarine Stone.”
Dreya smiles and stretches her hand toward Vlamarine. Once Vlamarine shakes her hand she says, “You have seen through his hard exterior and that’s something not many can do, especially females. Glaycol promised to marry me.”
Vlamarine turns to look at Glaycol and says. “I guess this has a meaning, Glaycol.”
Glaycol, remembering the promise he made when he was younger to Dreya, says, “Vlamarine, when I was younger, Dreya was my first kiss and we made a promise that the next time we saw each other we would marry. That was a childhood promise, one that I never expected to come back to me. It was an innocent promise between kids.”
Dreya looks at Glaycol and says, “It was serious to me.”
Glaycol looks at Vlamarine and tells her, “I can’t marry her anyway.”
Vlamarine looks confused and asks, “Why?”
Silver Wings answers, “Because Dreya is the Guardian of the Gate of the Stream. If she were to marry there would not be another Guardian after her. The Guardian is destined to be alone. Dreya knows that was her duty when she decided to take the job, but also you, Glaycol Master, are Nobility.”
Glaycol, not believing a word Silver Wings just said, says, “There’s no way I am Nobility. I wasn’t born in a castle. I was raised at the edge of the mountains.”
Silver Wings replies, “You may not believe me, Glaycol Master, but you are Nobility. The time will come when your mark will appear and you won’t be able to deny what you have heard from me.”
Zodiac nods and says, “Silver Wings and Dreya Skull, open the gate please. I’m taking Glaycol and Vlamarine to a special spot.”
Dreya and Silver Wings open the gates, and Zodiac walks through the water of the stream with Vlamarine and Glaycol following right behind him. Suddenly everything becomes white and they can’t believe the view in front of them.
Chapter 20
Glaycol and Vlamarine can't believe how this place has remained so pure, with no effects of the war that is happening on the other side. Glaycol has seen enough of the war to know that this place must remain the way it is, away from the touch of the humans and dragons alike. What's most amazing is that there are humans coexisting with Fairies under the Rule of the King of the Horse and it seems that despite the fact that he hasn't been here, the people and the Fairies get along pretty well.
Vlamarine looks at Glaycol and says, "This must remain between us. If word of this place gets out in the open, they will come to conquer it and that's not something that we can let happen”
Glaycol nods at what Vlamarine says and turns to Zodiac, " Are there any monsters that try to attack this place?"
Zodiac snorts and answers, “We have goblins on the other side of my kingdom that want to kill us and takeover.”
Glaycol, giving the situation some thought, asks, "But who protects the people?”
Zodiac is about to say something when Dreya interrupts, "That's the duty of the Guardian. The Guardian’s sole purpose is to protect the Kingdom from any threat that may arise. The Guardian keeps peace between the realms. The Kingdom of the Fairies, The Kingdom of Friesian, and The Kingdom of the Goblins are together in this realm, but are separated by the Law of the Friesian
King and its borders keep them apart. The Friesian holds more control than the other kingdoms because he doesn't have any desire to control or destroy the other kingdoms.”
Zodiac continues by telling them, "But the Guardian is cursed to fight until the day it dies, unless the Guardian breaks the curse that bids him, but only the one true god, Thelagios, can do that.”
Vlamarine looks at them in confusion, “You speak of the Guardians as if there are many of them protecting the peace.”
Dreya responds, “There used to be a lot more of us, but since peace has reigned for years they didn’t see the need to protect the Kingdom so they headed out to your Continent to live the life they had left behind the moment they became a Guardian. Once the Dragon Empire surfaced they were killed in the war.”
Glaycol, with a sour expression, says, “Nobody expected the Dragons to take control out of nowhere, but there’s something that they did see that we haven’t been able to get through our shallow minds. We can’t keep waging war among each other. What we are doing is leaving the job that others want to do, and we are doing for them. Humans are supposed to be united and try to live a common life instead of trying to kill each other for money, drinking to drown our sorrows, smoking to calm ourselves, fucking someone else’s wife, or killing that person to be with that female. Even females are fighting to be with the same guy. We are made for one woman, not to have many.”