Death of a King

by Ed Montalvo

  “Hey, there is no shame in friendship,” Rem chimed with a broad smirk.

  “My Lady…” she breathed.

  Tatiana blinked rapidly, “We… are friends,” she stuttered. Again, the female studied the princess and wondered about her curious reaction. “…all friends.”

  “As he said, they are not as you think,” Tuke reiterated.

  Tatiana regained herself, “He is a kind soul.”

  “They are like no Drouwen you heard of,” Rem added as he stretched his shoulder.

  “No one other than us knows who she is, and it must remain as such,” Dregous stepped to Seeker, “My lady,” he addressed the Elven female.

  The princess felt her heart race as Dregous approached Seeker. The jealous sting burned her ears and tried not to flush.

  The Elven female felt embarrassed for her accusation, “Apologies Ayrian,” she said softly. She examined the Dark Elves. An Ayrian trusting the fallen was unexpected. “I will play your guise,” she addressed Angelique. It perplexed her that Drouwen’s saved her, then began to introduce herself, “I am…”

  The temptation to peer into her mind appalled Dregous. Her mannerism, stance, and posture, clued him, “A high born Grey Elf,” he interjected.

  The high-born Elf looked him curiously, “How did you know?”

  Tatiana was about to speak when Rem chimed in, “Yeah, he does that,” he sighed, as an afterthought.

  The princess arced a brow, “Give him no mind… Dregous,” she indicated, “Is insightful.”

  “I must agree, our friend sees things differently than we do,” Tuke added. Seeker listened as they spoke of the prince. They praised him without drawing any divinity of his insight.

  Her eyes didn’t hide her alarm, “He reads minds?”

  Dregous chuckled, “Such a gift would draw suspicion and cause unprecedented mistrust, my lady. It is no such thing.”

  “Then how did you surmise my status?”

  “You informed me…” she was about to speak then pause when he raised a finger, “Your mannerism, poise, clothing, and words, among other things, clued me. Nothing mystical of being observant.”

  “Be that as it may,” she decided to change the subject, “How did you happen so far off the human road?”

  The Prince studied her as Tatiana sheathed her sword, “We make for the mountain.”

  “Waste not your time, the Dwarves reclaimed what was theirs after the horde failed their campaign. The scattered horde fled in all directions, some foolishly crossed our borders and paid the price.” She clearly didn’t trust Dark Elves and stood beside Tuke.

  Dregous was pleased the Dwarves reclaimed their home. Still, he must pay Miheen, the female Dwarf a visit and extend his gratitude once again.

  The princess felt uncomfortable for Dregous, by the way, she glared at him and Angelique. She held an even stare at the Grey Elf displaying confidence for her companions.

  Seeker sensed danger and glance at the prince. Before she could sign, he signed her, ‘calm, be still.’

  “Move not Drouwen,” warned a male.

  Elven archers surrounded them, with their arrows trained on Dregous. Tatiana’s heart skipped. “Dregous, be still,” she warned softly.

  The Elven female addressed the lead male stepping out, “Lehoneh?”

  “Woo woo woo woo!” Rem looked around him, they were surrounded, “Easy now.”

  Lehoneh looked at the female, “Mirehnah, ohceh minaahr?” he asked without taking his eyes off the Drouwen.

  “I am unharmed,” she answered in common for the benefit of the Ayrian.

  “We came to her aid, friend,” Tuke stated.

  “I discount your claim, human,” Lehoneh replied.

  “He speaks truly, we came to her aid,” Tatiana added.

  “And you are…?” Lehoneh was so focused on Dregous he didn’t realize she was an Ayrian.

  “I am Princess Tatiana,” she announced.

  Mirehnah couldn’t hide her surprise. His brow raised, then address Tatiana, “An Ayrian Princess, with a Drouwen?” Tatiana removed her gauntlet then pulled her chained ring from under her chest plate. “It may be a ruse,” Lehoneh said. He couldn’t understand why an Ayrian would travel with a Drouwen. Even more perplexing, a princess.

  “Lehoneh, of all things she is still Ayrian…” Mirehnah said.

  Dregous’s heart pinged at Lehoneh’s comment, “Of all things Ayrian are trusting,” he glanced at Mirehnah. She sternly looked at him, “Your words,” he reminded.

  “Trust has nothing to do…,” Lehoneh started.

  His rebuke infuriated Dregous but masked a calm demeanor, “How can a trusting person lie?”

  Lehoneh glared at the mage about to speak, “That is unarguable,” Mirehnah said gently, “Besides, they saved me from the Orks.” He intended to kill the Dark Elf but feared a stray arrow may find his sister.

  Lehoneh sighed, “As you say,” he breathed and couldn’t process any reason why a Drouwen would bother with a Surface Elf.

  Tatiana tucked her pendant into her chest plate, “Good… could you stand down now?”

  He studied Dregous and wondered why his sister would defend the Dark Elf, “Forgive me princess, he is Drouwen.”

  Tatiana unknowingly glanced at Dregous with loving eyes. “He is,” she answered softly.

  Lehoneh sighed deeply and signaled his brethren’s to stand down, with a slight disapproving nod. It didn’t get passed the mage’s scrutiny. He glared at Dregous, “Know this well, you live due to them,” he said, then addressed Mirehnah.

  Tatiana bit her anger and remained calm. She figured some of Dregous's demeanor must have rubbed off on her. “Lehoneh, there is no need for that. I trust him and that is enough to extend him courtesy.”

  “As you say, just do not expect me to exchange pleasantries,” the Elven commander said firmly.

  Tatiana raised a brow. Dregous knew she would respond. “Fair…,”

  Dregous interrupted her, as he stepped closer to the princess. “It is.” Tatiana looked between them then nodded her agreement.

  “Now that that is settled, I will go and rest,” Rem said.

  “Come along,” Tuke followed. Seeker suppressed a chuckle. Rem glanced at her with an agreeable smile.

  Tuke spoke over his shoulder at Seeker. “Encourage him not.”

  “Apologies,” she whispered and looked at him like a child.

  “And the others?” Mirehnah asked.

  “Injuries, no casualties,” Lehoneh replied and guided his sister away from the Drouwen.

  Mirehnah sensed her brother’s uneasiness with the Dark Elf, “He aided me,” she looked between them.

  “Indeed,” he replied spitefully. There could be only one reason why he would save his sister, and it was to save himself. “Tell them,” and chinned his company. “We found a scroll on one,” so the others would hear.

  “What does it say?” she asked.

  “I know not. It is not written in Orkish,” he glanced at Dregous. Mirehnah followed suit. Tatiana didn’t like the way they looked at him. The uneasy feeling in her gut told her, they may be backing him into a corner. Would they label him a traitor for translating the message, she wondered?

  Dregous sensed Tatiana’s fear strike him like a punch to his gut. He glanced and saw fear in her eyes. Trust me Angel, he thought, then addressed the Elves. “Is it Orkish?” he asked. The mage suspected it was Drouwen, otherwise he wouldn’t have mentioned it for all to hear.

  Lehoneh face displayed frustration, “No,” he confessed.

  “May I?” the prince extended his hand and felt Seeker’s eyes on him. Would he translate the message and betray his people? Must I kill my ally? She thought.

  Lehoneh whistled over his shoulder. A Grey Elf male stepped from the shrubs and handed Dregous the scroll case. The Elves faces displayed concern and question if his translation would be true.

  Tatiana studied him as he pretended to examine the case. Dregous discretely detected
magic on the item. His lesson in the mountain was well learned; no magic detected. Still unsatisfied, he continued examining, when he noticed a tiny Imperial house symbol embedded in the detailed design of the case. “Drouwen thus far,” he said then slowly opened it, removing the content.

  Brother and sister glanced at one another, then at the Ayrian princess. Mirehnah darted a glance between the Ayrian and Dark Elf.

  He tucked the case under his arm, then examined the parchment borders to ensure no hidden inscriptions. Tatiana and Dregous eyes locked or a brief moment. Her concerned expression mimicked his. They were almost killed by an explosive magical trap. With closed eyes, he smiled with relief.

  Lehoneh glared at Dregous, “He smiles… why?”

  Tatiana smirked, “He does that at times,” she knew his reason.

  “What does it mean?” Mirehnah glanced at Tatiana.

  “A few months back, he read a scroll and it exploded. The thing nearly killed us… well, him,” Tatiana explained.

  Dregous’s smile faded at the memory, then opened it. It was Drouwen, structured for Ork understanding. “As you suspect,” he said in general, “It is Drouwen but written for Orks.”

  “Can you read it?” asked Mirehnah.

  “I can,” Dregous's desire to prove himself put him in a compromising position.

  “Do you refuse,” Lehoneh accused. He was prepared to give the order and have his archers shoot the Prince. Dregous studied Lehoneh’s eyes. He is ready to kill me, he thought.

  “Dregous?” Tatiana called gently.

  He ignored the princess, “How am I to trust you?” Dregous asked.

  Lehoneh stepped closer, his sister barred him. “Who are you to speak as such?” he growled. Tatiana stepped beside the mage.

  “Lehoneh,” Mirehnah pleaded, he glanced at her.

  “I am Dregous Von’Negrous, Ducal heir of the empire,” Dregous stared with a bland expression. He knew his intention and needed to control the situation.

  “Your title is meaningless here.”

  “As is yours,” Dregous replied calmly, “Now we can continue this frivolous jousting like humans and give an Ork party the opportunity to surprise and slaughter us. Or, we can agree to disagree, that trust is in short supply.”

  “I am not Drouwen.”

  Dregous arced a brow, “I am, and my life is in the balance, not yours.”

  Mirehnah saw her brother’s flaring eyes, he wanted the Dark Elf dead. Being accused of behaving like a human, made matters worse. She gently squeezed his arm. Tatiana stepped closer to Dregous. “My companion is correct, this bickering is pointless and may draw unwanted attention.”

  Lehoneh glance at Tatiana, her beauty and soothing voice calm him. He glared at the Prince. “As much as I despise admitting it, it is correct.”

  “He may be hard on the eyes, but he has been true to us…” Rem jumped in.

  Tatiana and the others were surprised, “Pardon,” the princess breathed.

  He surprised himself. He didn’t intend insulting anyone, it simply slipped out. Tuke looked at him disapprovingly.

  “If so displeasing, why travel with him?” Mirehnah asked.

  Embarrassed, “Forgive my prattle, I foolishly spoke out of turn. Though the latter is true, he is good, Drouwen or not,” Rem said blandly.

  “That is enough, let us tend your wound,” Tuke said gently.

  Tatiana’s anger remained check but was confused with Rem’s comment. Her perplexity didn’t go unnoticed by the Grey Elves. Mirehnah felt embarrassed for Dregous, though she was unsure why. It was clear the Dark Elf Prince was not what she first thought. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. She saw through his mask. He was hurt. His eyes display pain she didn’t understand. Dregous slightly shook his head.

  Lehoneh wondered why they traveled together. He noticed the Dark Elf and thought, what ails him?

  A tingle at the pit of Dregouss’ gut warned him. Everything seemed to move slow. Danger was near. Tatiana has seen that look many times, “Dregous?” she whispered and drew her sword, “Arm yourselves!” she hissed.

  “Again?” Rem declared.

  “What is the matter?” Mirehnah asked.

  Dregous spotted an Ork lunging behind Lehoneh. He recalled warning Lukous and accused of attacking them. Instead of pointing, “Orks!” he shouted. They attacked three Grey Elves, Mirehnah yelped.

  Tatiana shielded Dregous. Lehoneh instinctively shoved his sister aside as one attacked. He managed a glance at the princess. She defended the Dark Elf when something hit him.

  Seeker instinctively leapt up the tree. When Tuke turned to warn her, she was gone. He readied himself and wondered how she vanished.

  Rem drew his sword and rushed to aid a Grey Elf pinned by an Ork. The Half-Elf shield bashed one's face, pinning it against a tree and thrust wildly at another. It howled painfully and gave Rem a sidelong glare, as the pinned Elf managed to draw a dagger and stabbed its neck.

  The Ork’s surprise attack, quickly took its toll on the Grey Elves. Many fell under the barrage of spears and swords. The clashing of steel against steel and flesh created a symphony of wails. Blood soaked metal and armor. It colored the fallen leaves and earth.

  Dregous spotted more Orks, “Again?” he whispered.

  Tatiana thought the prince spoke, “What?” she asked, then focused, “Stay close,” and readied herself.

  He searched for his wand, “Nothing love,” he muffled. He realized what he said and hoped she heard nothing.

  Chapter 10

  Cowering before your demons will guarantee a painful demise. Confront them and they will still; if you flee, it will strengthen and forever haunt you. It will force you to cower away from anyone and everyone. Once challenged, fear loses its power. If you dare sever your chains, what is left is absolute freedom.

  Dregouss’ traveling journals.

  She wondered if she heard correctly, then brushed it off as an Ork charged. Dregous rapidly padded his robes for his wand. The grunting attacker raised his weapon. The princess defended herself as the spiked mace dented and rang her shield.

  “Dochah kasabah’adeh hehked?” Dregous hissed harshly and found it in one of his deep pockets. Immediate danger rang his head and glimpsed. An Ork charged him with his battle-ax overhead. He found his wand and drew it as he recited the missile spell targeting his face. Two deep purple orbs raced from his palm.

  The Ork thought he saw a flash, instantly followed by searing heat to his face. The multiple missiles knocked him on his back. His head bounced against the cold ground. It groaned as he rocked his head. Dregous thought he killed him when he noticed movement. “Oh, they are tough,” Dregous whispered.

  Tuke gripped his mace firmly as he raised his arms while casting a divine spell. “Oh my omnipotent Osiris bless thy servant, to restrict the willingly blind, with thy might upon me!” he cried. His mace suddenly radiated a divine aura.

  An Ork swung at the priest with his hammer, Tuke struck the hammer’s handle with his mace. The thick wood cracked loudly as he knocked it aside with the Ork. Then followed with an upswing into his upper torso. The center of his ribcage snapped, as he fell back clenching his chest.

  Seeker scanned the woods, her jaw dropped, they were hopelessly outnumbered. Seven were on them, ten more made their way towards Dregous. Tuke’s glowing mace startled her when she heard a crack and wondered if it was the branch she perched.

  The party seemed to hold their own against the Orks. Seeker decided to help the Grey Elves. She selected her target and lept onto an Ork’s back with two daggers, preventing him from killing Lehoneh. She buried her daggers deep into his armpits. The Ork couldn’t shout as a burning sensation spread throughout his lungs.

  Lehoneh reached for a large rock and bashed the wounded Orks face repeatedly, knocking him aside. Seeker continuously stabbed with both daggers as he fell. She smiled, “When all else fails, huh?” she winked.

  Lehoneh nodded, “When all else fails.” He slightly wav
ed the rock then tossed it aside and scrambled to his feet drawing his weapon.

  Tatiana held her own against the spiked mace wielding Ork. “Open the heavens, for your Ayrian servant battles in your glorious name. I give thou this offering my Ukko,” she prayed as the Ork continued his attack.

  The princess locked her wings while fending him off. He was stronger than the first. He advanced while attacking. Tatiana parried and evaded while holding her ground. She recalled her master at arms, drilled into her, never backup while fighting, do so, and you must split your focus on your opponent and behind you.

  He was predictable and followed his pattern and she grew complacent with him. The Ork suddenly changed and struck her ribs, the impact sent her against a tree. Instinctively, she raised her shield. The Ork’s crushing blow put a notable dent with a crack near the handhold. The pain in her forearm throbbed less than her ribs. She wasn’t aware the spike had penetrated her armor.

  Dregous readied his wand when he heard his Angel and stole a glance. She leaned against a tree as the Ork freed his weapon from her shield. “Angel!” Dregous shouted. Everyone heard the strain in his voice. He stepped towards her when he heard something behind him and glimpse over his shoulder. The Ork he thought dead charged. His many nightmares flooded his emotions. The thought of losing his Angel burned a hole in him.

  A fury erupted from deep within as he addressed the Ork. The mage channeled all his rage to a finite point when everything slowed as it did back in the belly of the mountain, months ago. The air before him rippled like a pebble in a pond, emanating from between his eyes. The Orks' eyes widened and bulged. Blood instantly stream from his pig-like snout, eyes, and ears. It squealed horrifying cry, then dropped to his knees and fell face-first on the cold earth. His helmet came off exposing his cracked skull. The gray matter that once was his brain poured out like a thick chunky liquid.

  The Dark Elf prince didn’t feel any remorse for killing the Ork in such a vulgar manner as he addressed his Angel. Ten more Orks advanced on them. He calculated the angle and their approach, it was too late. They were within range of the group. The prince abandoned the wand, instead cast a webbing spell. In his haste to aid the princess, he forgot to use his modified version. When the spell took effect, he regretted not thinking through his response. Pasty fluid regurgitated with a strong force. He targeted as many as he could before inhaling.