“Calm yourself, Hekla. We’ve done more today than any of us could have hoped for. It is a step forward. The fact that we have reached our kingdoms, and then united them, if even for a day... it is more than I had dreamed.” Svana brushed the bangs out of her face. “Also, I’m hungry... so the sooner we can deal with all of this, and be on our way, the better.”
“You haven’t changed a bit. How you can think of food at a time like this is beyond me.” Agitation tinged Hekla’s voice, but was quickly replaced by a smile. “At the same time, I’m thankful for it. I could go for a bite as well. I’m exhausted. I’m not sure how much more I can handle for the day.”
“Oh, my sisters. How I’ve missed this,” Astrid’s deep green eyes glistened with the hint of a tear, but she quickly wiped it away. She paused for a moment, surveying the landscape around them.
Amidst the bodies, were those who had been healed and were slowly regaining their strength. As the sisters watched them, they stood, looking around. Some of the soldiers shook their heads, rubbing their eyes as if waking up from a bad dream. When reality had set in, and they had learned that they were not dreaming, they gave the sisters looks of confusion.
“You are alive, and well. The battle that took place today was one that none of us could have prepared for. Now, be on your way, and bring word to your people that a truce has been struck. Only, we must prepare for what is to come in the future.”
“And what of our deceased ones?” one soldier called out.
“We are working on a solution for that, one that will that will benefit all,” Hekla responded.
“This truce, how long will it last?” another asked.
“We cannot be certain, but we will do all we can to make sure that we will warn you if it is lifted,” Svana responded.
“You do not speak! You are a traitor!” A tellurian soldier, who had been healed by Hekla’s hand, jumped up from the ground and rushed toward Svana.
She quickly jumped into action, swinging her sword in front of her to deflect the blows of his bloodied blade. He stepped back, repositioning himself, and putting himself into a sword form, Nightcrawler Fury. Svana barely contained his chaotic, sloppy strikes, falling to her knees as she tried to parry against the man.
“Svana!” Hekla yelled.
Svana held fast, glancing back to Hekla and nodding once. She rolled out of the way of another strike, and positioned herself into her own sword form, Dance with Fireflies. Hekla recognized the sword form well. As young women, they hadn’t practiced too many sword forms, after all, there were hundreds of them, but they did have to read dozens of books, at least learning all the forms all by name. However, there were a few that they found intriguing enough to try.
Dance with Fireflies was a beautiful sword form, and really—a beautiful pastime. Hekla remembered as a young girl, dancing with fireflies in the moonlight with her sisters. She wished she were young and innocent again, but she really focused on the memory of the dance—the beauty of it, the elegance. Fireflies were beautiful creatures, their glow, and their incredible flight patterns. When you danced with fireflies, it was always graceful. Svana’s form matched that graceful elegance. Even with the rampage of Nightcrawler Fury against her, she was able to move with calm, dance-like steps to not only defend herself, but to strike back.
“I am not a traitor,” Svana yelled through gritted teeth.
Hekla and Astrid stood side by side, watching the fight. Chill bumps crawled up Hekla’s arms as she wondered if she were going to have to interfere.
Svana sighed. “I did what must be done for the unity of all of our kingdoms.”
The man slashed at her again. Svana caught the strike with her blade, and the clanging metal of their swords echoed across the battlefield while everyone stared at them.
“Then you do not know the king! He does not want unity!” His voice was like the roar of a lion.
He swung wildly at her midsection, barely missing as she stepped backward, the blade nearly scraping her armor.
“So, the desire of one man, is greater than the good of all the kingdoms? You’re a little ungrateful for a man whose life was nearly lost before we healed you,” she retorted.
Her question and statement seemed to throw the guard off balance, and only fueled his anger causing him to fight harder, his sword from turning into Raging Bull Kills the Bullfighter. Svana immediately changed her form into Butterfly Touches the Lilypad when she remembered how she defeated the new form earlier.
“Enough,” Hekla shouted, extending her scepter out, and shouting, “Tranquis Impartum!”
Paralyzed for the moment, he could only glare at the women, his sword still in hand.
“Listen, soldier, I understand your dedication to the King. Only, what he requires is wrong. We can destroy one another, just to make one kingdom greater than all. That is not how the Unseen Ones created our worlds to be. Only in unity, with all kingdoms working together—will we reach our greatest potential.” Hekla spoke calmly, hoping to ease the tension in the air.
“Well said, sister,” Astrid lauded her.
The spell released the soldier, and he lifted his sword above his head as if he were going to come after Svana again. After a few moments of glaring at each other, he dropped the weapon to his side, and muttered something unintelligible before marching off the battlefield toward the castle.
The fiery-haired woman watched him walk away, worry lines etched on her face.
“What’s the matter, Svana?” Astrid asked, noting the change in the woman’s demeanor.
“I just wonder what he’s going to do when he reaches the castle. I might have just sealed our fate,” she said softly.
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Svana. Some people will find anything to be angry about, even if it has nothing to do with the real issue at hand. When the time comes, I think he’ll see it was for the best,” Hekla’s voice was kind, but firm. “Don’t let him get to you or take to heart that he called you a traitor. None of the people of these kingdoms, or the soldiers will understand truly what we are trying to do until it is done.”
“Indeed!” Astrid nodded her head, “Speaking of which, Hekla, the kings…” Astrid’s voice had taken on a questionable tone.
“What of them?” Svana’s face emanated her curiosity.
“Have any of you discovered the reason for their being corrupt?”
Hekla shook her head. “I’ve barely had time to speak to the king, much less to learn why he has done the things he’s done.”
“I have had more time to discover these things, but I’m afraid that the Tellurian King is darker than I could have ever imagined. So much so, that even my dragon guide shies away,” Svana said, her gaze still focused far off in the distance, toward the Tellurian castle.
“Darker how?” Hekla’s face clouded over; the worry evident in the crease of her eyebrows.
“Have you not noticed it is he who has orchestrated the worst of these events? He is the one who separated the kingdoms, and he is the one who invoked battle,” Svana pushed.
“Hmmm... so do you not think that the other kings are too blame?” Astrid drummed her chin with her pointer finger.
“I think they all play their part, there is no question of that. I just think King Armand is at the center of it,” Svana admitted.
“I—” Astrid started.
“What is it?” Svana asked.
Astrid tilted her head down toward the ground. “I have briefly spoken with King Bertram of the Sky Kingdom. I don’t believe he is evil, but he is angry.”
Svana’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why?”
“I don’t know much, but I did try to talk to him about peace. And he won’t have it. He said long ago he tried to find a peaceful solution. King Bertram said he sent his son to Telluris to find a way to make peace with King Armand.” Astrid continued to stare at the ground, using her foot to move around a pebble.
“What happened?” Hekla asked, stepping closer, watching the emotion fill her siste
r’s face.
Astrid sighed. “He said that his son’s head was sent back to him.”
The sisters went quiet, as they thought about what Svana and Astrid had said. If there was something to their words, then it would mean King Armand was a greater problem then they had first thought.
“That means that I can’t heal him,” Hekla said suddenly.
Hekla, you must. You cannot just let him die, Speltus urged.
I know that, she retorted.
“You have to,” Svana said. “If you don’t, I fear a riot in Telluris.”
“If I do, then he could make things worse for everyone,” Hekla argued.
“Sisters, we have something more pressing at hand, and we need to deal with it now,” Astrid said sternly, trying to get their attention.
“What is more important than the fate of our Kingdoms?” Hekla put her hands on her hips, her sapphire hair falling gracefully to her shoulders and blowing in the wind, and her voice indignant.
Astrid waved her hand over the battlefield, “It would be good if we could put the bodies in one pile, until we can decide what should be done.”
“You haven’t changed a bit,” Svana said with a wink, which caused Hekla to laugh out loud, and eased the weight of the argument that had almost had.
“I don’t think Astrid will ever stop trying to mother us,” Hekla continued, a small laugh following her well-intentioned comment.
“No, I don’t suppose I will,” Astrid shrugged her shoulders, grinning at the two of them.
“Listen, we still have so much to do sisters, and as much as I want to stay here with you, I must return to the castle to watch over the king. I promise to send word if he changes his mind about the truce.” Svana looked back toward the castle.
“Svana, I think I should come with you,” Hekla too, followed her sisters gaze, her young face tinged with concern.
Speltus grunted.
I’m worried for what will happen to my sister, Speltus. I cannot let her go alone.
You have too! he responded.
“No, I cannot risk him exploiting your power,” Svana put her hand up, to halt Hekla from moving forward.
“Believe me, dear sister, I can handle myself.” Hekla raised her elegant staff, it’s glorious orb lighting with flashes of blue and purple, swirling and chasing inside the glass, her blue eyes twinkling to match her scepter’s light.
“I’ve no doubt about that,” Svana responded, a glint of mischief flashing across her face.
“I learned from the best.” Hekla playfully elbowed her older sister. The three of them laughed happily, the moment as carefree as their days back home on Volican. It seemed like brighter days were ahead.
7
Astrid
There comes a time in our life when we must accept that every confrontation is not ours to bear. Everyone has their own battles … their own demons, and we must have the strength and the acceptance to let them face their own battles, and realize that if they need help, they will ask.
Reidlesiul, The Bravest, Seventh Dragon Elder, Eighth Age of Verdil
Astrid smiled, placing her hands on her hips and looking at her two sisters. It warmed her heart to see the two of them, and to be together with them once more. Though, she knew it couldn’t last. Their mission was not complete. They were closer, but they all still had a long way to go. Still, it was refreshing to be with them again.
“Do not forget, my dear ones, who it was that taught you your tricks to begin with.” Astrid had long since placed her bow on her back. She let her arms fall from her hips to hang comfortably at her sides.
“Oh yes, we owe a great deal of who we are to you.” Svana gripped Astrid’s shoulder softly. The corners of her lips turned upward in a sincere smile.
“As if we could forget all that you have taught us,” Hekla said impishly.
“Walk with me sisters, away from those who are still getting their strength back and leaving to their homes,” Astrid motioned for them to follow her as she walked the wide dirt path toward the Tellurian castle.
“Astrid, I don’t think it’s wise for us to go to the castle, not yet,” Svana pleaded. “I don’t want any harm to come to either of you.”
“Do not concern yourself with that.” Astrid brushed her emerald hair out of her eyes. “I simply mean to take us away from the battlefield so that we can talk more privately.”
The younger two nodded their heads as she led them away from the bloodshed that had occurred earlier that day.
“On a more serious note, there is something gravely concerning that I must tell you. Please do not do anything with the information until we can confirm whether it is true or not.” Astrid stopped, turning to face them.
“Why Astrid, what is the matter?” Hekla allowed her scepter to drop to her side.
“Yes, what could affect you so?” Svana slid her sword back into its scabbard and folded her pale arms across her chest.
Astrid took in a deep breath. “I think there is more at work here than what meets the eye.”
“I think we can all agree to that,” Svana said, unmoving. The descending clouds, and increasing winds causing her fiery hair to whip around her face.
“Yes, but what exactly are you speaking of?” Hekla clutched her staff tighter, her fingers turning white.
“While on my way to Caelestis—” Astrid’s eyes became unfocused, as she thought back to Jaques’ strong chin, and dark chestnut hair. “I met a man, the former head captain of the Tellurian armies.” She took a deep breath. “He told me something that if I had not seen this battle, and we had discussed what we had; I would question the truth to his statement.”
“What, what did he tell you?” Svana’s eyes widened and her jaw grew slack, studying Astrid carefully as if what she heard would answer dozens of her own unanswered questions since she’d first arrived in Telluris.
“Svana, take this for whatever it’s worth, but Jaques told me that there was a wizard who lives in the highest tower in the Castle at Telluris.”
“A wizard?” Hekla nearly shouted. “I thought that was forbidden!”
“What do you mean, little sister?”
“I mean, Speltus told me that no one is allowed to practice magic. I, of course have only been given the privilege because I am funneling my dragons power, it is not I who does the magic, it is Speltus who does magic through the scepter and me.”
Astrid shook her head, as if confused. “So, you’re saying that it’s not possible for there to be a wizard in a tower at the Tellurian castle?”
“No, I’m saying that if there is, it’s not allowed.” Hekla scratched her chin. “And I wonder why aren’t the Unseen Ones turning their face to this? Why do they not step in to stop it?” Hekla was genuinely concerned, her eyes falling to ground as she studied the dirt, her leather clad foot kicking at a rock wedged in the road.
“Jaques said that exact thing, that he could not understand why the Unseen Ones had allowed it to continue for so long. Especially because it is not just any wizard, Jaques said it was the darkest wizard ever known.” Astrid’s motherly nature had been replaced by worries of their future.
“So, how did Jaques know of this dark wizard? It makes no sense, for surely if he knows of it, then others would too?” Svana unfolded her arms and wrung her fingers nervously.
“That certainly makes sense. Though he did confess that he was a former captain, as I mentioned before,” Astrid honestly didn’t know why he had told her that, or how he knew that information. “I know nothing more than this, and truth be told, the time I spent with him was limited at best. I didn’t think to ask him how he knew such information. Nor did I think to ask him why this wizard could exist, when we know that only dragons can do magic. If I come upon him again, I will try to find out more.”
“Not to worry, Astrid. It does provide some insight as to what may be occurring in Telluris. I guess it is up to me to find out what is truly going on there, perhaps then we can find an answer to this war tha
t wages between the three kingdoms.” Svana’s face had aged years over the course of their brief conversation.
Astrid worried for her sister. She was the eldest. She was the one supposed to take care of her two sisters. And yet, they were on their own journeys, and Astrid could not interfere. She wished she could wrap her arms around the two of them and tell them everything would be all right, but Astrid didn’t know if she’d be lying.
“Do you think that if King Armand has a wizard assisting him, or doing whatever he does... do you think that Aequoris and Caelestis have one too?” The orb on Hekla’s staff flared brighter.
Astrid scratched her chin, wondering if that signified Speltus agreeing to Hekla’s observation.
“Hmmmm, it seems that Speltus seems to think so,” Svana remarked.
“Yes, it does,” Hekla half-smiled.
“There’s been no talk of it, at least not here,” Svana continued.
“Indeed, I’ve heard nothing of it in Aequoris, granted my visit there was brief and stressful,” she laughed.
“I can say the same of Caelestis,” Astrid interrupted, “there has been no conversation of it at all.”
Svana gathered her sisters up in her arms, squeezing them as tight as she dared. “I fear for our very lives, sisters.”
“As do I,” Astrid admitted.
“We must proceed with extreme caution from here on out, even more so than before. This changes everything. If we are up against a powerful and dark wizard, and that is what changed the king making him who he is, then I feel it is fair that we warn our kingdoms of it.”
“Yes, I agree Hekla, because at the end of the day our one goal remains. That goal is that we take over the thrones, whether it be by force or the will of the people. We must rid each kingdom of their corrupt leadership,” Astrid said solemnly.
“Then, I think we know what we must do. Return to your lands, sisters, and let me deal with King Armand. For better or for worse here, the people are coming to know me. So, whether it is for better or for worse, I know that my purpose here is clear.” Svana could not take her focus off the castle that lay in the distance.
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