Determined footsteps echoed throughout the hallway as heavy boots moved quickly and a woolen black cloak fluttered in the breeze. The page escorting her was tripping over his feet to keep up with the long strides of the general. The hall was decorated with long, black silk banners trimmed in sanguineous silk that stretched from ceiling to floor and were embroidered in the center with gold threaded dragons spewing flames. The torches cast dark shadows that moved with a life of their own as the brisk late winter air flickered the flames.
She reached the heavy oak doors and thrust them open with such force that they slammed against the walls with a thundering boom. With her face hidden in shadow, the seemingly faceless being startled a group of finely dressed men. They were gathered around a large table at the end of the room, a stark air of seriousness hung about them. The roaring fireplace cast a red-orange glow throughout the room. Severe-looking faces shot daggered looks at the intruder. From under her hood Ky narrowed her eyes at the man in the center of the group.
“Ah, General, good of you to join us.” Said the man diplomatically.
He was dressed in a white silk shirt and black linen pants. A red and gold sash crossed over his shoulder and torso and wrapped around his slender waist. His weathered hands held down a parchment map. His dark eyes glowed in the firelight and a gold crown glinted in the dim light as it rested on thick black hair peppered with gray. Dark, sunken eyes pinned the general in place. His gaunt face taut with disappointment. His once superior muscular frame was now slimmer, the regal king now looked like a starved prisoner.
Ky stormed up to the table and slammed her fists down causing the goblets of wine to topple over, the wood cracking ever so slightly.
“What’s the meaning of this?” she bit.
She stared the man down and he met her gaze with equal intensity.
“Am I not the one you explicitly put in charge of your forces?” yelled the furious general. “Have I not won every battle? When exactly did I become so incompetent in my decisions that some witch has decided that I am no longer fit to command?”
Ky was livid, unbridled anger seeped out of her every pore. The king had always trusted her judgment but was now second-guessing her every move. The witch was behind all of it, Ky was sure. Over the past few years she watched as the king withered away and his consort and adviser slowly rose to power. Frustration gnawed at her mind. She felt like she was the only one who seemed to notice what was happening. The old men around the table looked back and forth between the two. They knew the warrior was a force to reckon with, but didn’t think she would act this way towards the very man who could end her life with one word. The king half-grinned at her.
“Ky, you know I have always trusted your judgment.”
He frowned, “But what you did was inexcusable. Lusha informed you of the plan that had been revealed to her, but you decided to ignore orders and execute your own plan-”
“I had to save my men!” roared Ky.
“You had your orders!” countered the king. “Stripping you of your rank was all I could do. You know that if it had been anyone else, it would have been their head.”
The men around the table stared at Ky. She ignored them and glared at the king. He straightened his back.
“For centuries the other kingdoms have laughed at us. We have had our lands taken away from us. We have been labeled unintelligent brutes who remain in the shadows of their former glory. When the Goddess sent Lusha to me I knew it was a sign that she had found favor with the Khenná once more. And when the Aznurro had the audacity to kill my brother it opened my eyes once and for all. We are meant to reclaim our power. I believe that if you and Lusha would just learn to work together we could become capable of such great things.” He took a deep breath. “So, I am willing to reconsider your punishment, provided that you are able to work with Lusha.”
Ky snorted and crossed her arms. “Never.”
The king mirrored her movements. “I would reconsider my generous offer, for it will not be extended again. Now, for the glory of your people, will you follow Lusha’s orders or not?” he threatened.
The blonde warrior clenched her fists until her knuckles were white. This was not the way things were supposed to go. She wrestled with herself for a moment, but getting back her command proved too great an opportunity to pass up. Who was she if she wasn’t leading an army? Now was not the time to allow such thoughts, she pushed it to the back of her mind. There were two things she was certain about though: she was destined to lead legions and that one day she would get that witch, she promised herself she would. The warrior squared her shoulders and spoke softly through clenched teeth.
“What are my orders?” a vein in her forehead visibly pulsed.
“It’s simple.” Said a sultry female voice from the shadows. “Bring me King Toran’s children.”
The voice’s owner stepped out of the darkness. She was older than Ky, but no less beautiful. She had short, straight black hair that was pinned back with golden clips. Coal black eyes sparkled under arched eyebrows. Her dark olive skin was flawless and she moved as if she were on air, her red and gold dress flowed off her feminine frame.
“Why would you want two spoiled brats? Ransom?” Ky felt the disgust ball up in the pit of her stomach, she could taste bile.
“My reasons are my own.” Lusha’s face grew dark and serious. “But if the king is distracted by the loss of his children, it will make him all the more easily crushed in battle. I have foreseen it.”
Ky laughed. “Foreseen it? You expect me to believe that? Did you also ‘foresee’ me being stripped of my rank?”
Lusha’s eyes narrowed like a viper. “Do not put that on me! You are responsible for you own actions, I merely advised the king on the matter.”
A fake smile plastered the witch’s face. “But you can always redeem yourself. Like I said, bring me the twins and you will be given back you command. The king’s forces, yours to command once more.”
Ky thought for a moment. “Fine. But why not kill them? Or assassinate the king? Why go through all the trouble for a meager prize? And what of this battle you speak of? I have not been informed of such.”
The witch’s smile turned evil. “We shall honor the Goddess’ chosen plan. There is no other way. Now, since the king will be at his most vulnerable while he has sent out his forces to search for his missing children we shall attack him with our full force and bring down the Aznurro. Giving us total control.”
“And when will the attack occur?” asked the skeptical general.
“Within three months. You will help draw them out and we will attack them at the main gate of their precious wall.”
Ky’s face scrunched in confusion. “Attack them at Stone Shield? Our strongest forces have never been able to penetrate it. Even I will admit that it is a perfect defense. What makes you think that this time will be any different?”
Lusha leveled a look at her, giving off dark vibes. “Do not question me again. Are you a General or a petulant child? Did you so soon easily forget what happened the last time you questioned me?”
Ky’s nose flared and she visibly bristled. The king and his officers held their breath. The General looked the witch in the eye. The blonde gathered everything she had and yielded to the witch.
“I accept you mission.” She felt sick.
She turned to the king and bowed deeply. “My Lord.”
Ignoring the witch and the rest of the officers Ky turned on her heel, seething with rage and stormed out, her cloak flowing madly behind her.
#
The warrior opened her eyes and was greeted by a bright blue sky peeking out from a canopy of emerald leaves. She flipped over and swam to the edge and pulled herself up. The lingering anger was building up in her stomach. She violently wrung the water out of her long hair and threw herself down on the soft grass. Grumbling, the warrior grabbed her dirty clothes and started washing them in the water, trying to calm herself down. Once they were clean enough she laid the
m out on some large rocks to dry and sprawled out in a patch of sun-soaked grass. Bathed in the warmth she calmed down and began meditating. She cleared her mind by focusing on her breathing. Soon, only the sound of her heart and the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest were her only awareness. After an hour she felt better and decided to get moving. Her clothes were dry so she quickly dressed and filled her water skins. Saying goodbye to her oasis she threw the skins over her shoulder and wandered back into the woods. As she made her way back to the ever-patient mare she checked her trap and was rewarded with a decent sized rabbit. Back at her camp she made short work of the animal and had it roasting over the fire in a few short minutes. While she waited she ate the small red berries that she had gathered earlier. The rabbit was delicious but even after her meal her stomach growled with hunger. The warrior shook her head and ignored the hunger pangs.
The sun was high in the sky by the time the warrior decided to get moving again. The swim revived her and she was ready to finish the last leg of the journey. The border of the Aznurro kingdom had to be close by now. It was hard to gauge exactly where she was. Her previous routes to the kingdom had circumvented the cumbersome forest in favor of a more direct mountainous path. But after her last campaign, whatever way through the mountains was now buried under tons of rock. The forest was now the fastest way to go and offered her the opportunity to scout closer to Stone Shield and any viable means of getting through it. In years past her predecessor tried to cross the open sea and try a direct attack from the harbor. It failed miserably against the might of the Aznurro navy and resulted in his untimely demise. While the Black Army was capable of traveling and battling by sea, the Khenná were more or less landlocked. With a small coastline. The closer she neared her enemies the more her eyes were constantly scanning her surroundings for threats. The warrior thought hard about how she would get past Stone Shield. Getting to the palace shouldn’t prove to be too difficult. However, if the soldiers there didn’t know her face, they would still probably figure her out. Tall, blonde, muscular, and menacing gray eyes. Dead giveaway. Still, she shrugged to herself, there had to be a way in.
#
Lusha played with her gold necklace as she lounged in a large lavish bed covered in bear furs, wearing nothing but a maroon sheet. The bright moonlight shone through the window and illuminated her naked skin. Ultrek, wrapped in a black silk robe, stood leaning against the mantle over the fireplace, lost in thought.
“My Lord should come back to bed; seek refuge from the cold.” She seductively stroked the bed.
“If this doesn’t work the Aznurro will remain a force to reckon with. Our empire will fall.” He stormed over to a table and grabbed a wine bottle and downed the remaining contents.
Lusha rolled her eyes. She sat up and straightened her shoulders.
“How many times have I told you that this will work? Have you no faith in your Goddess? In me?”
The king wobbled over and fell into the bed.
“She is my best General. And you had me strip her of everything. It is because of her, not some god that we have come so far.” He bit. “It was she who toppled the bastion that was Thaemo and secured the Quinmor throne. It was she who discovered the identity of The Bear. Because of Ky we are that much closer to wiping out those rebels.”
Lusha’s eyes narrowed. “Once again, I’ve told you that this is what was necessary. She served her purpose. Regardless if she is able to make it past Stone Shield, I have another to do our bidding.”
The king’s brow furrowed. “How I am supposed to know your puppet will do as told?”
Lusha’s eyes flashed white. “I had enchanted her sword to select a willing soul. Once she was within range of the perfect specimen, provided she didn’t kill it, the spell would engage. I felt the connection the moment the right one was found.”
“Mm.” grunted the king. “I still have my doubts.”
Lusha bit her lip in consternation and rolled her eyes. Unseen by the king, she waved her hand over him. Instantly, his expression softened and his eyes became glassy.
The witch sighed. “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, I have powers your pathetic mind can’t even begin to comprehend.”
Holding the sheet around her body she stood up and walked over to the fire. She stared into the flames and grinned impishly. Spinning around she raised her arm and flicked her wrist. Immediately, the king rose up from the bed, still smiling and glassy-eyed under her spell.
“Do you so easily forget that it was I who inspired you to kill your own brother and take his throne?” she laughed evilly. “Of course you don’t remember. That’s the point, my puppet.”
The witch co*cked her head to the side and looked the king over. She sighed.
“You’ve about run out your usefulness to me, Ultrek. Your prized general is no longer worth anything to me…alive. Once my new pet delivers what I want…” she slithered over to the king and spoke softly in his ear. “…I will be Empress, and you…shall be reunited with your brother.”
She raised her arm again and the king fell onto the bed. His eyes returned to normal and he promptly fell asleep. Lusha climbed back into bed and snuggled under the covers. She glanced over at the slumbering king and smiled evilly.
“Your hour is almost up.”
Chapter 3
The twins had been traveling leisurely for nearly three days. They had briefly stopped at a small village inn for a hot meal but mostly stayed on the road, meandering through open fields and meadows and camping out under the stars. Atreyis was more than grateful to finally be outside of the white marble walls of her gilded cage. Her skin tingled with the sense of adventure.
As the sun started to sink towards the horizon on the third day the Black Rock Mountains came into view and Atreyis’ heart began to pound. She didn’t know why, it had only been a few months since she had last seen her best friend, but she was incredibly nervous. Her hands were cold and clammy and her stomach was in knots. The temple was nestled at the base of the final mountain in the chain. The Temple of the Dragons. According to the legends it was built on the site where the great dragon Aznu was buried thousands of years ago.
The polished stone walls were made of the same onyx black rock that surrounded the temple grounds. A tower capped in alabaster stood out like a beacon against the dark, leading travelers to its doors. In front of the temple was a column-adorned courtyard. The temple arches rose and fell gracefully, mirroring the peaks and valleys of the mountains behind it. A ribbon of stone extended itself from the mountain behind the temple down into the valley, stretching all the way to the sea that was miles away. The princess wrinkled her nose in disgust. Her father’s great contribution to the ages, Stone Shield; meant to protect the Aznurro from outside forces, as well as keep the people in. Her grandmother, his own mother, had even been against it. There was only one gate and it was highly guarded. Every half mile of the twenty-mile wall there were groups of five soldiers posted. At the gate itself there were at least a hundred. The princess shook her head.
The moon was just beginning to rise by the time Ehren and Atreyis arrived. The smooth stone of the temple was bathed in ethereal moonlight. The gate stood like a silvery sentry. They dismounted and led their horses through the courtyard with its pillars towering over them like monolithic giants. Before they reached the main door a temple attendant slipped out of the shadows and whisked the horses away to the stables. Without hesitation, Atreyis took the temple steps two at a time and threw open the heavy doors, with Ehren close behind her.
“OOF!” grunted the brunette.
She was immediately tackled by a small sandy blonde wearing the multihued blue silk robes of the priesthood. The girl wrapped herself around the stumbling princess in a fierce hug.
“I missed you too!” Atreyis hugged the girl back. “How did you know I was coming?” she laughed and let the girl down.
“One of the guards told me that two riders were approaching and that one was riding an
impossibly white horse. I knew it had to be Lux, there isn’t a horse in the entire kingdom as white as him.” She said breathlessly and smiled. “I knew it had to be you.”
Atreyis arched an eyebrow. “Is he really that obvious?”
The girls giggled.
“Ahem.” Ehren cleared his throat.
The short girl rolled her eyes fondly and gave him a hug. “It’s great to see you too, Ehren.”
The prince hugged her back. “I missed you too, Cora. The palace is just too quiet without the three of you.”
The bubbly priestess was all smiles. She hadn’t seen her friends for nearly ten months. Just like the twins, the day she turned twenty her life changed. She was sent away to the temple. From a young age she had shown promise and was chosen to become the next High Priestess. The temple priests in Lynica had begun grooming her shortly after she was born. They had been without a true High Priestess for nearly three hundred years and the people had begun to lose faith in the Goddess.
Atreyis couldn’t believe how much her friend had changed in such a short time. Had Cora always been a head shorter? The priestess’s whole being seemed to glow. A diamond-crusted diadem sparkled amongst her sandy tresses, and a generous sized long crystal hung from her necklace. The deep midnight blue and light sky-blue of her clothes brought out the brilliant blue-green of her eyes.
“I hope you don’t mind a few more tired travelers for a while.” Smiled the princess.
“Of course not!” said Cora. “You know that we always have a place for a weary soul or two.”
Ehren bowed to the priestess. “Then lead the way, Your Holiness.”
