“Why should I pledge my support against the humans?”
“We are willing to give the sun realms to you.”
“What of the forest elves?”
“Lothrin accepted our terms. He will be given part of the borderlands.”
“Who has claimed the wilds?”
“The wilds are to remain unspoiled.”
“Your response intrigues me. Did you know that all of the dragons agree on that stipulation?” She asked.
“Is that so? I hadn’t known. Should I be surprised? They aren’t called the wilds for nothing,” he replied.
“They aren’t called the wilds because they are useless. Think on that, night King. You will have the support of the sea elves, but we would be foolish not to keep an eye on the wilds.”
*
Kade spurred his horse into the courtyard. He drew his sword and raised it high into the air. His golden armor shined in the sunlight and his orange cloak rippled in the breeze. The Knights of Ardevale let out a shout as they raised their own swords in the air. They fell in line as the young man rode out of the courtyard. A sharp pain shot through his head, forcing him to crumple forward in his saddle. He grabbed his head with his free hand and did his best to keep from getting thrown. The pain subsided and he sat up in his saddle, acting as if nothing had gone wrong. He thrust his sword forward as he spurred his horse to a canter. The full power of the Knights of Ardevale rode west toward the four kingdoms with Kade at their head.
*
Finrul slammed his fist against the table. He crumpled the report and threw it aside. A good portion of the sun elves had taken up arms against the dragons. They never openly attacked the creatures, but they did everything in their power to disrupt the dragon’s rule. The beasts blamed the sorcerer for the problem. He paced back and forth as he tried to think of a solution. The news of the death of their Empress had delivered a devastating blow to the rebels, but it had not stopped them outright. Finrul turned as he heard the door open.
“Revin, I hope you have good news,” he said.
“I’m afraid not, sir. However, I do have an idea,” the elf replied.
“Let’s hear it.”
“The rebels have successfully procured a copy of our invasion plans. They are spreading dissent and claiming that a war with the humans will destroy our people. I propose that we use this to our advantage.”
“How exactly are we supposed to do that?” The mage asked.
“The plan will require all five of your Captains, three of whom you would trust with your life.”
“That can be arranged.”
“We draw up two different plans. The first will outline the troop movements for two battalions. This is the set that we allow fall into the rebel’s hands. It will be too good for them to pass up attacking the supply trains for those two battalions. However, we will have the other three battalions waiting for the rebels to strike. Our enemies will have split their forces in an attempt to sabotage our invasion of the borderlands. They will be weak and we will take advantage of that.”
“How can we be certain that the information won’t be leaked?”
“Only the three Captains will know their true orders. Everyone else will be told that they are being sent to bolster the other elven kingdoms. One battalion for each kingdom.” Revin answered.
“You may be onto something. Make it happen. Choose Trakin and Falore for the two Captains. I am not certain they can be trusted.”
Revin nodded and bowed before leaving the room. Finrul let out a sigh as the door closed. A victory like this would break the morale of any remaining rebels, but it was not good for elvenkind as a whole. He sat down at his desk and began to write a message for the dragons. They preferred to be informed of any plan before it was executed, but this particular plan required that as few people knew about it as possible. The benefit of writing to the dragons was that he knew that nobody would be able to read the letter. They had taught him how to use dragon runes when writing important messages. He was far from an expert at writing in the ancient language, but it gave him a small thrill to know that he was among the few that even knew how to write in dragon runes.
*
The makeshift inn was abuzz with music and laughter as Wrotan and his companions approached. Though it only had two walls, a small bar, and a handful of tables, it served a purpose just as well as any other inn. The hunter made his way over to the bar as the others found an empty table. He cleared his throat when the bartender failed to acknowledge him. The man shot him a look of disgust and shook his head. Wrotan looked over at the man who everyone was enthralled by and then slammed his fist on the bar. The bartender hushed him as he came scurrying over.
“Is the service always this spotty?” Wrotan asked.
“You are interrupting a rather interesting story by a very important man,” the bartender replied.
“What’s this nonsense?” The storyteller asked as he pushed his way through the crowd.
“My apologies, Wrotan, this outsider was clamoring for a drink.”
“What did you call him?” The hunter asked.
“He called me Wrotan, of course. I see that you’ve heard of me before. Now will I be able to proceed with my story?” The other man asked.
Wrotan gritted his teeth as he stepped forward. He grabbed hold of the man by his shirt and dragged him outside of the bar. The imposter tore himself free and turned to the crowd. He started to say something when Wrotan spun him back around and punched him in the face. The hunter threw two more punches and finished up with an uppercut just as the imposter was staggering back toward him. He was prepared to throw another punch, but the man crashed to the ground. Several members of the crowd rushed forward to check on the man. Wrotan made his way back to the bar and motioned to the bartender.
“Not so fast, ruffian. You’ve gone and punched out one of my friends. I will not let that slide,” one of the members of the crowd said as he stepped toward the hunter.
“Is that so? As a friend of his, you must have known that he wasn’t who he claimed to be,” Wrotan said.
“How dare you. Who are you to make such a claim about a local hero?”
“I am Wrotan the hunter, but I am no local hero. This fool has been using my name to spread rumors and gain fame. Do you still claim to be a friend of his?”
“I do and I won’t let you sully his good name by claiming that he lies. He could have beaten you had you not ambushed him from behind.”
“Fine, you wish me to prove that I could have beaten him? I will gladly do so. Gather your three best brawlers and I shall confront them all at once.”
The man failed to reply and Wrotan turned back to the bartender. He ordered he drinks for his party before making his way through the crowd to the table that the others had procured. Just as he was beginning to sit, a member of the crowd grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him into the middle of a circle. Several of the rougher looking members of the crowd were already in the circle. They rushed toward him and he dodged the first of them. He blocked a punch from the second and elbowed the third in the face. Another group of three rushed forward and tackled him to the floor. He shoved one of them off as one of the others managed to land a punch to his ribcage. Mariah wrapped her arm around one of them and pulled him off with a headlock. Alandra followed quickly behind her and took out one of the others with a punch.
“Enough!” One of the elders yelled as he pushed his way into the circle.
“Shut up, old man. Your hospitality has been appreciated, but we will finish off these fools with or without your permission,” one of the brawlers said.
Wrotan shoved another of his opponents off and got back to his feet. Though they were outnumbered, Alandra and Mariah had managed to take out a few of the ruffians. The hunter grabbed hold of the man who had talked back to the elder and threw him to the ground. He dropped to his knees and elbowed him in the face. His companions each took down another of the brawlers, leaving only two. Wrotan ducked a punch
from the closer of the two and then pivoted forward and hit him in the side with a punch. He shoved the man into an oncoming punch from the other opponent. The elder stepped out into the middle of the circle and hit the last of the attackers in the back of the head with his cane.
“I’m sorry that it had to come to this,” Wrotan said as he approached the man.
“It wasn’t your fault, hunter. The borderlands have been spilling over into the wilds for far too long. This is the result of their failure to rein in their own criminals. Your assistance was highly appreciated,” the elder said.
“Things will only get worse. The shadows dragons have returned and the elves are planning something. I doubt they will bother you directly, but war creates refugees and refugees tend to wander. You would do well to prepare for the worst.”
“Thank you for the warning. It is not often that people are willing to volunteer such information without wanting something in return.”
“I need a miracle or, at the very least, the ability to enter another’s mind,” Wrotan said.
“Magic is the answer that you seek. You travel north, that means you are heading to the monastery. If they are unable to assist you, look to the south. The Arcane Academy may not be friendly to strangers, but they are your best chance at what you seek,” the elder said.
“You have my thanks.”
*
“What is our task, Master of Ardevale?” One of the Knights asked as he approached Kade.
“Our mission is to find the dragon hunters and any that the dragon Knights. We are to eliminate them and leave the four kingdoms open to invasion,” Kade replied.
“There are several groups employed by the four kingdoms, it will take time to eliminate all of them.”
“They will come to us.”
“How is that possible?” The Knight asked.
“I will show you,” Kade said as he raised left hand into the air.
A small portal opened and several smaller wingless drakes ran through. Kade dismounted from his horse and approached the largest of them. He pulled off his glove and placed his hand on the largest drake’s neck. His palm seared a mark onto the drake’s neck. He sent an order through his mind and the beast lowered itself so he could ride. Several of his fellow Knights dismounted at his order and mounted the drakes. Kade ordered his troops to follow as he rode toward the nearest village. His mount let out a roar as they got closer. The town guards rushed forward to intercept the oncoming Knights and their dragon mounts. They fought bravely, but they were overwhelmed by the superior forces of the Knights of Ardevale and their new leader. Kade made certain that the drakes lit several buildings on fire before spurring his own mount onward.
“The drakes will serve their purpose if we allow them to do so,” he said as he turned to his Knights.
“I don’t mean to question, sir, but what is the purpose of all this?” One of the Knights asked.
“The four kingdoms will pay for their past sins. We, along with the elves, will act as the hand of vengeance. Once we’ve subjugated the four kingdoms, we will stamp out any resistance, human or elf.”
*
“Our plan appears to have been a success, sir,” Revin said as he rode up to Finrul.
“Excellent news, my friend. The dragons will be pleased with our success. This should allow two more battalions to join us in our invasion,” the sorcerer replied.
“Is it wise to commit the majority of our troops to this endeavor?”
“Perhaps not, but it is a risk that I am willing to take.”
Finrul looked down at the map on his lap. The dragons had ordered him to secure the borderlands without disturbing the mages at the Arcane Academy. He closed his eyes and tried to remember the simple spell. Fenzik had taught it to him long ago. His brother had often taken to using magic for the most mundane of things, but there were occasions that Finrul felt it helpful. This particular spell allowed the caster to connect a person or group’s location to a map. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw the two horses halfway to the borderlands. The magical map wouldn’t replace those in the command tent, but it would allow him to see where his battalions were.
“Revin, I need you to accompany the forward scouts. You are to be my eyes and ears for the duration of this campaign,” he said.
“Campaign, sir?” The elf asked.
“Yes, something tells me that the dragons won’t be satisfied with just the four kingdoms. There is a whole world unknown to us beyond the borders of these kingdoms.”
“I cannot deny that it sounds exciting, but what about those who want to settle down and have a family?”
“We are elves, Revin, we live hundreds of years. If we are fortunate, the dragons may grant us even longer lives. This campaign will be a memory to be cherished.”
“What if we don’t make it out alive?” Revin asked.
“That too, is a risk I am willing to take. No doubt the dragons will be willing as well. Think on it, my friend. Should they choose to press forward, that would give us an opportunity that will never be available to us. We are the superior race, it is our right to rule.”
“You are not the man that I once knew.”
“Is that good or bad?” Finrul asked.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
The Spirit Monks
Amber quickened her pace when she spotted the monastery on the horizon. The monastery sat in a large indention along the foot of the mountains. Unlike the mansions and castles near Reddington, the monastery was plain. She smiled at the thought of somebody building such a grand building without the extravagance of the Kings and nobles. The others matched her pace and came alongside her. Wrotan kept one hand on the hilt of his sword as he took the lead. They weren’t expecting any trouble, but the hunter seemed to believe that it followed them everywhere.
“Have they no honor?” Hadrin asked.
“What do you mean?” Amber asked.
“This building is a testament to their god, yet there is nothing special about it. Yes, it is a large building, but it is neither defensible nor extravagant. What are we supposed to expect from their god?”
“Do not speak ill of that which you know nothing,” Wrotan said.
“I am with Hadrin on this one. The elves treat the Creator with the respect that she deserves. This would be an affront to her godhood,” Alandra said.
“They refer to him as the Builder. He has no use for extravagance. The spirit monks see him as the being that brought everything into existence. What good is a fancy window or a pile of gold and jewels? I am not saying that their beliefs are superior to anyone else, but to compare the spirit monks to other religions in such a way is to not understand the spirit monks and their deity.”
“He asks for humility and servanthood over all else. They use their material goods to shelter others, fight what they see as evil or injustice, and to spread their religion. Their god shares some similarities with the Maker, enough so that some believe them to be the same being. Things change over the years and people adopt traditions that may have meant something wholly different before. It is always wise to treat other religions with respect,” Mariah said.
“We are wasting time discussing this when we could be approaching them,” Amber said as she pushed the pace up again.
Wrotan nodded and matched her speed, but the others continued to squabble over religion. The hunter let out a sigh as he looked over his shoulder. Amber opened her mouth to ask a question, but decided it would be foolish. He noticed her looking at him and gave her a slight nod. She watched as he turned his head back toward the monastery. There was something different about him than the others. Mariah had joined them to assist Kade and stuck with them to atone for letting Julian be killed. Hadrin and Alandra traveled with them because their people required it. Amber did not know why the hunter traveled with them.
“Can I ask you something?” She asked.
“You just did,” he replied.
“That isn’t what I meant.”
/> “Yes, you may ask me something, but that doesn’t mean you will get the answer you want. Thank you for asking permission, more often than not people pry their way into the lives of others without an invite.”
“I don’t want this to come out wrong, but why are you traveling with us. You seek to help humankind and elvenkind and all of that, but what is it that keeps you so driven?
“A good question. Up until now I’ve evaded the question with answers about the greater good. Truth of the matter is that I am on a search. You see, I never knew my parents and the man who raised me was part elf and part human. More than that, he was often gone. He meant well, but the role of father was not for him. I was something more like an apprentice. I’ve spent years in the cities, years in the wilds, years in the forests, and even years with the elves. Never once have I found my place. So, I look for purpose. Hadrin and his father needed my assistance against the sun elves and I gave it. They offered me something that nobody else has ever offered me before. I was to be the champion of the night dragons. Alas, it was not meant to be. Then we found you, Mariah, Kade, and Julian. It seemed like a quest befitting of a hero. That is something I’ve never been before. Now, we are just the remnants of whatever it was that I was leading for that short period of time.”
“I’m not certain I completely understand.”
“My life is a long story of me looking for purpose and not being able to find it. Opportunities present themselves and I try to rise to the occasion, but I fail more often than not. There have been times when I thought I could fit in with different communities, but they never work out. It would be good to know that the path I’ve chosen is the correct one.”
“I am sorry to have brought up a sore subject.”
“Not at all, I am not afraid of my past failures. They are as much a part of me as my skin.”
Amber went quiet when she noticed the small party exiting the monastery. There were a dozen of them, half in gray robes and half in armor. The men and women in armor were heavily armed. One of the monks separated from the group and approached the two of them. Wrotan motioned for Amber to stop before looking back over his shoulder. The other monks and their armored companions held back as their leader stood in the middle of the road. He looked at the three behind them and then back at the two in the front. Amber glanced at Wrotan and gave him a quick nod. She was prepared to face the monks and their warrior brethren.