Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter 22: The Return of a Warrior




Ellie had to say, she quiet enjoyed the hot bath she got right after Dreyden had given his little speech.
She had only gotten out long after the water had cooled, and then a maid helped her into a robe of thick wool.
   “Shall I fetch a dress ma’am?’ The maid asked.
   “Uh…yes. Of course.” Elowen hesitated. She wasn’t use to someone being at her beck and call. The maid ran off, leaving Ellie alone in her large room.
She slipped her feet into a pair of fur slippers to protect her from the cold stone floor. Walking out from behind the changing screen she gazed at her room.
Drey’s friend, Gregory, had ordered servants to show them to their rooms and to draw up baths for each of them. She had been slightly hesitant to leave the boys, but once she saw they were only down the hall she felt better. Plus, Drey promised to come fetch her before supper.

The room she got was trimmed in furs for the winter. The large four poster bed had purple drapes so she could have some privacy at night. There were three windows in her room, two were just slits, but the third was larger and trimmed in stained glass of different colors.
Heavy wooden furniture had been placed around the room, a table and a chair for meals she wanted to eat alone, a vanity table with a stool, and a mirror so she could do her hair, and then a massive wardrobe that held thousands of different dresses.

“Here you are ma’am.” The maid had returned with a green dress that was the most fanciest item of clothing Ellie had ever laid eyes on.
The maid helped get the dress on, tightly lacing up the stays in the back.
She had even gotten a pair of matching shoes that were extremely uncomfortable.
   “Shall I fix your hair?”
   “No!” Ellie hadn’t meant to shout and startle the poor girl. She quickly composed herself.
   “No thank you. Um…I think that will be all for now.” She said, not wanting to sound rude. But the maid didn’t notice, she just curtsied and left the room.

Elowen waited a few moments to make sure she was gone, then kicked off the painful shoes and replaced them with her boots.
   “Ah,” She sighed with relief. “Much better. I don’t know how girls stand walking about all day in those shoes…” She moved stiffly to the looking glass. “Or in these dresses for that matter. I can’t even breathe!”
She rolled her shoulders trying to loosen the stays but to no avail. Groaning she gave up.
If she was allowed to say so, she thought she looked quiet pretty in the dress.
The green fabric made her eyes seem bigger, and her hair redder.
It was trimmed in fur, including the collar and the sleeves that draped open, but those were just for fashion, the real sleeve was skin tight to her arm. The skirt had lots of material, and had intricate designs running down it in gold thread.
It was beautiful, but she refused to think how many yewns it cost.
She pulled her hair over one shoulder and braided it quickly, wanting it out of her way.
Once that was done she decided to explore the castle a bit.
As she went for the door, she paused at the large wardrobe, then finally opened it up and grabbed a dark red cape before leaving her room.

Outside her room she was shocked when she saw everyone running in the same direction. Everyone was running, the servants, the nobles, the cooks. Everyone.
Elowen pushed against the flow and moved towards Merek’s door, pounding on it once she got there. After pounding for a few more moments she gathered up the courage to open the door and walk in.
She found Merek standing by the window, with nothing but trousers and boots on.
   “Oh for goodness’ sake!” She cried picking up a tunic from the open wardrobe and throwing it at the back of his head. Merek turned around, shock to find her in his room.
   “Get changed. Something’s happening outside.”
He picked up the tunic and threw it over his head. She noticed his hair was still wet, and he was clean shaven.
   “What is it?”
   “How should I know? I only just came out of my room and found everyone scrambling about so I came to find you and Dreyden.”
Merek ran a hand through his hair as he looked at her.
   “Aye, you clean up nicely lass.”
Ellie scowled at him before punching his arm.
   “What? I meant that in a nice way, and of course I know you belong to Drey, so no I wont be getting any ideas. Besides,” He gave her a half smile as he opened the door. “You’re a little young.”
Ellie rolled her eyes as she followed him back out into the hallway. She followed in his wake as he pushed past people.
She let him do the pounding on Dreyden’s door, while he tightened his weapons belt. Drey opened his door immediately, unlike Merek.
He paused once he saw Elowen, now in her new clothes and clean. She sighed and decided to get to the point.
   “Come on, let’s see where everyone’s going.” She said, taking off with the flow before either boy could react.

Ellie was growing impatient as the flow of people wound their way through hall after hall. She finally gave up trying to be slow for the boys and ran off through the crowd, dodging people, holding her skirts up in her hands as she did so, to avoid tripping on them and ruining the beautiful dress.
Finally she was spit out onto a wide balcony that had a view of the courtyard they had walked through just several hours earlier.
She looked around at the sudden space she had. Then moved towards the rail of the balcony to look over the edge. On a balcony opposite of the one she stood on was the council that Drey had spoken to. They were quietly arguing amongst themselves, pointing down at the courtyard.
Ellie looked down and came near to fainting.
   “Elowen?” Comforting arms caught her before she could hit the floor.
Drey and Merek were by her side as soon as they had caught up with her, when she nearly fainted Drey’s heart almost gave out.
Once she was in his arms, she shook her head and regained her feet.
She took off once again, running back the way they had just come.
   “Elowen!”
Drey and Merek looked down at the courtyard and then back at each other.
There was a girl in the courtyard, not one that fit in with the other girls in Falion.
She wore a silver breastplate and leather pants, her boots were high, past her knees. A red crimson cape flapped in the wind, a sword hung against her hip, her long red hair looked familiar.
   “Who’s she then?” Merek asked. Drey shook his head, not knowing the answer.
   “Come, lets find Elowen.” Drey said, walking back into the castle.

Elowen took the stairs two at a time, not caring if she stumbled on her dress. The door to the courtyard was full of people curious, but scared to venture out. She shoved her way through the crowd, people hissing sharply at her but letting her pass.
Running into the courtyard, she stopped, starring at the figure before her in disbelief. Her eyes trying to take her in but it seemed impossible.
The girl was doing the same to her, her green eyes growing wide in surprise.
She took a step towards her, hesitant and unbelieving.
   “Elowen?” She breathed.
Ellie let out a quiet sob and ran forward.
The two girls met in the middle, clashed together in a hug so tight the life might leave them.
   “Jedika I never thought I’d see you again!” Elowen cried.
Jedika gently pulled Elowen away and looked at her. Tears streamed down her face as she smiled.
   “You didn’t think I’d leave my little sister to fend for herself did you?” She said with a chuckle.
   “Look at you! My little sister all grown up. No longer little anymore. Quite a lovely lady. Is it safe to say you have caught a husband yet?” Jedika winked, but noticed the blush upon her sister’s cheeks.
   “Oh! So there is.”
   “No, no.” Ellie glanced over her shoulder as Dreyden and Merek ran in to the courtyard. “Not yet at least.”
Her sister smiled.
   “You always did have high standards Ellie. And falling in love with a prince?…” She rubbed her sister’s cheek affectionately. “Mother would be proud.”
Elowen cried again and hugged her long lost sister.
Jedika turned to the two men who had followed her sister.
   “Have you come to a decision about the throne?” She called out to the tall dark one. He glanced at his companion, but nodded just the same.
   “Good. Eleyos will be glad to know his plan is working. Where is Kade?”
Ellie was shocked when her sister demanded to see Kade. There were a few mysteries that had yet to be solved.
   “Go fetch him for me will ya?” Jedika called. The prince motioned to his companion and he ran off back into the castle.
   “Jedika, where have you been?” Elowen asked.
Jedika gave her a sad smile.
   “All will be told in time, but now is not the time. Prince, I do believe you have a council meeting that I am to escort you too.”
Dreyden gave her a confused look but turned to the council members that had grown silent on the balcony.
   “Right then, I suppose we reconvene now. Meet me in the council room in fifteen minutes.” He called.
Drey disappeared into the castle as well, and Jedika took her sister’s hand.
   “Come little sister, we must be apart of this meeting.” She said, leading the way into the castle.
   “Oh wont you say where you have been? Or just give a hint?” Elowen pleaded.
   “Let’s just say I have been a guard of a very important object, for a very long time, shall we?”
Ellie shook her head and led the way through the castle, following Dreyden’s distant form.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter 21: Known to the World







Swift’s wings and the darkens of the night caused Elowen to lean against Drey’s back and let her eyes droop close.
Drey glanced over his shoulder at her and saw that she was fast asleep.
He allowed a smile to cross his lips as he had a flashback to the forest.
   “Oh for Eleyos’ sake.”
He glanced over at Merek who was rolling his eyes. He sat astride Bella, his tan yerto.
   “What?” Drey asked innocently.
   “You have gone from bounty hunter to a sap over night. You’re giving us men a bad reputation.”
It was Drey’s turn to roll his yes.
   “You fall in love and then talk to me about being a sap.”
Merek laughed.
   “Fat chance brother. You wont be able to tie me down like that.”
   “Ha! No I won’t, but Eleyos could.”
Merek couldn’t find a witty response to that so decided to just keep his mouth closed.

.:+++:.

Councilman Gregory sighed as the subject went around the room once again.
   “Rand will not take up alligence with Falion if we will only be used as a breeding stock for weapons!” Travak, DragonTrainer, stated adamantly.
   “Travak,” Councilman Iven’s tone sounded as if he was holding back an ocean of anger. “You’re people are phenomenal. You can train beasts that everyone else would do anything to avoid. You are so incredibly important to the turn of a battle, of course we’d use you as weapons, but only in times of war. Never in times of peace would we -”
   “You only prove my point Ivan!” Travak rose angrily from his seat of the twelve identical chairs that were placed in the large circular room. There was thirteen all together, but no one had sat upon the throne in fourteen years.
Travak’s weathered face held much anger and frustration. His tan, light weight clothes were appropriate for the hot lands of Rand, but they didn’t keep the chill out from the Falion winter.
   “Once we aid you in battle, you will see how easy it was to win. Then your minds shall be twisted into thinking you can take on any army! And then it wont mater if it is a time of peace or a time of war!” His accent was less noticeable, but Gregory could still pick it out after spending so much time in Rand.
   “You fought with Falion once before!” Ivan’s note brought up agreements from the other nine Falionite councilmen seated around the room.
   “Yes, under the wise rule of king Carac, and then his daughter, Fayoen and her husband, Ast’Drev. They were both wise beyond their years and knew the risks not only in battle but also to their minds.
When the long lost prince is found, then and only then, shall Rand take up allegiances with Falion.” The other Randigorians that stood behind Travak’s chair murmured their agreements.
Gregory couldn’t agree more with Travak’s point. Falion was barely surviving under the rule of the council, and it was far from flourishing.
   “Bah!” Ivan spat. “The Royal Line was broken long ago. The prince has been long since dead and buried. But the Infidels are marching now!”
The door opened, stopping all discussion instantly.
Everyone turned to look and saw a timid page boy poking his head in.
   “What is it boy?” Gregory said calmly.
The page walked in the room, cleared his throat and stood erect.
   “There is a man here to see you all.” His squiky voice sounded like he was more nervous than he let himself show.
   “Can’t you see we’re in middle of meeting?!” Ivan hissed.
The page gulped loudly, but didn’t leave.
   “He said to give you this.”
Gregory rose from his seat and moved to the boy before Ivan could get up.
The page handed over an orb, and then retreated into the shadows of the council room.
Gregory knew what the orb was the minute he touched it. He moved to the stone table in middle of the room, and placed it on top of all the maps.
   “What is that?” Malkyn, the only woman on the council, asked.
   “It is a message orb.” Gregory explained, running a hand down his waist length white beard.
As soon as he set it down, the orb began to glow and Gregory hurried back to his seat.
A projection shot up into the air above the orb. The Talon-bears roared in shock, the Trylanian’s eyes grew wide, and the Randigorians murmured amongst one another. None of the other lands were use to Magi powers.
The face of a boy yet to grow his beard out showed for all to see. Gregory rubbed his beard in thought. In his hundred years of service to the kings, he remembered what they all looked like, who they’re children were, and who they’re children’s children were. He never forgot a face.
And this was one face that had always haunted him, had always given him hope that perhaps he was not dead, and perhaps, he would come back.

.:+++:.

Drey and Merek landed their yerto’s a little ways away from the city walls of Asmodea. They had traveled through the night and had arrived faster than they thought.
Drey shifted slightly, Elowen was still asleep, but he woke her up gently. Her deep green eyes fluttered open and she glanced around. Her eyes fell onto the large wall of Asmodea and she drew in a deep breath before sliding off Swift.
Her boots hit the white snow and she placed her Magi robe back on, slipping her staff into place on her back and then her pack.
   “So this is it yeah?” Merek asked, coming up beside her.
Ellie nodded.
   “Aye. This is it.”
   “But you haven’t even seen the front of the city yet.” Drey said, a grin breaking across his face.
   “Come on!”
Drey ran across the snow, following the wall. Ellie and Merek ran after him. They rounded a hill and found him standing still at the bridge.
Asmodea was ultimately on an island. A large island that was connected to the mainland by a man made bridge. This proved to be a good advantage in battle, when the only way to get in was across a well armed bridge, but it also isolated Asmodea as well.

The graceful and elegant towers of Asmodea soared through the sky, two giant stone angels guarded the entry into the city.
Merek looked up at them as they walked through.
   “Oi, that is a lot of stone.” He mumbled.
Elowen smiled at him before telling him to keep up.
Inside Asmodea it was busy. The ocean had been channeled into the city, where it circled around and around the city, seeming to cut through. But this was also another defense, so if an enemy did happen to get through the river’s gave another protection. And with one of the largest armies in Falion, Asmodea could hold it’s own.

People crowded around, the shouting and yelling made it hard to hear Drey’s remarks on various places where he had played as a child.
   “My brother and I use to sneak into that baker’s shop. There’s a whole in the corner of his wall that’s covered by his wood stack. He never knew how his pies kept disappearing.”
Elowen’s smile grew wider as Merek’s frown grew deeper.
As they crossed bridge after bridge to get past the various levels of rivers, the less crowded the streets were.
   “Why was there so many people back there towards the beginning and less here?” Merek asked.
   “Because, the people with the lowest income stay in the first ring now.” Elowen answered.
Drey looked at her in shock, but Merek nodded thinking it made sense.
   “But it wasn’t like that before.” He commented.
Elowen gave him a sad look.
   “You’ve been gone a long time. Now the battle plan for Asmodea is that if they’re under attack the commoners are the first one’s to go.”
Drey was appalled and knew he had to do something. He sent up a grateful prayer that Elowen had been so adamant about him taking up the crown once again.
   “Now the three rings have been divided. The commoners in the lowest ring, middle class in the next one up, and then the castle and the nobles are in the last one.” Ellie explained.
Dreyden was shaking his head.
   “It wasn’t divided like this when I lived here.” He muttered.
Elowen nodded.
   “I know. But time changes things.”
As they crossed the last bridge they continued to walk right up to the castle.
The castle it’s self seemed to be made of graceful angles, towering spires, and elegant angels that guarded almost every window.
At the gate to the inner courtyard, guards closed their spears, blocking their path.
   “I…didn’t think this far ahead.” Elowen muttered. Merek glared at her, but Dreyden was already working on trying to get in.
   “We’re here to see the council.” He said.
   “The council is in session. And I don’t see any rings on you lot, so you don’t belong in the upper ring.” One of the guards stated.
Drey forced himself not to glance at Ellie for an explanation on the rings. Instead he held the guard’s gaze.
   “I want you to go tell the council that if they don’t let me in now, the lot of you are going to get thrown out of your homes and put out on the streets.”
The guards scoffed, and Ellie hung her head. This wasn’t the best approach.
   “Guard!”
They all looked past the guards and Ellie tried very hard not to gasp.
Kade walked up to the guards, his demeanor full of authority and importance. He looked nothing like he did when they last saw him. He had traded his leather travel clothes for thick robes of wool woven in complex patterns. He looked like a noble.
   “Let them through. They’re with me.” He ordered.
The guard looked like he was about to put up a fight but the look Kade gave him sent a shiver down Elowen’s back.
The guards scowled at him, but let the trio pass.
They walked through the courtyard ignoring the several nobles looking at them oddly, though Elowen became conscious of her looks and pulled her hood up over her greasy hair. Oh how she longed for a bath.
   “What happened to you?” Elowen asked Kade as she jogged up next to him.
He glanced down at her and smiled, he stopped and placed a hand on her small shoulder.
   “First, can I apologize for the way I treated you Elowen? I know a simple apology can’t make it up to you, but I thought it would be a good start.” He said, the sincerity plain in his voice.
Ellie’s eyes were wide, and words were beyond her reach so all she did was nod.
Drey glanced from her to Kade in wonder. He knew Eleyos must have touched this hatred filled boy, because there was no possible way that he could have the compassion to apologize to a Magi with out a new heart.
Kade nodded and dropped his hand. He continued his brisk walking and led the way through the great oak doors and into the castle.
   “It’s a big long story as to why and how I got here,” He went on as he dodged down a hallway. “I’m not going to go into it. But I will tell you, Dreyden I have been preparing the council for your return. I would offer a change of clothes, but I’m afraid you have to get in there now other wise the council meeting could go south.”
Drey and Elowen exchanged places and she hung back with Merek.
   “Ambassadors from the other surrounding countries are here as well, and the Falion council is trying to get them to join in an allegiance. Only they aren’t having much success.”
   “What other countries are there?” Merek asked Elowen.
   “Well lets see, there’s Rand, Daphora, and Trylan.”
Merek looked at her as if she had just grown horns.
   “You really were isolated up on Cevlon weren’t you?” She remarked.
Merek shook his head. “You have no idea.”
   “So the council knows I’m the heir?” Drey asked.
Kade hesitated.
   “Well…sort of. I think some of the council members believe you’re alive but it’s going to take more than an orb to change they’re minds. Do you still have the Royal seal?”
Drey nodded as he pulled his gloves off with his teeth, while fighting with his cape to get to one of his pouches that were in the back of his belt.
He pulled out the gold ring and slid it onto his finger.
   “Good. Elowen, Merek, once we get inside, we need to stay to the back. Drey, everything is depending on you.” Kade said, stopping at a large oak door.
   “No pressure.” Kade said with a smile as he pushed the door opened.
Drey drew in a deep breath which was stolen when Ellie kissed his cheek.
   “May Eleyos guide you.”
Then the doors were opened and Elowen melted into the background with Merek.

Kade walked Drey to the edge of the ring of twelve high backed chairs.
Dreyden was shocked to see such diverse people. But the two Talon-bears standing on either side of one particular chair shocked him the most. They were both snowy white, with a deep blue clothe drapped over their backs like a tunic.
It was hard for him to hide the shock but he knew he must or they would doubt him.
   A projection of himself stood in midair, silent, as the council raged a debate around it.
He and Kade watched for a moment. One council  member, Drey noticed, was not joining in on the debate. But one wasn’t enough.

Dreyden walked into the ring, not sure what he was doing but he knew that this madness had to end.
As he moved past members, they fell quiet until it was only two left bickering.
Drey crossed his arms as he stood at the other side of the room, on the dais in front of the throne.

The two still bickering didn’t notice his presence. One man, he noticed, wasn’t from Falion. His clothes were made for warmer weather, and his face showed that he spent most of his time outside. His graying hair had been pulled back and oiled, his beard though looked straggled.
The second man was stoned faced with hard anger lines. Drey pinned him as one who wouldn’t back down easily.
His red hair was still obvious despite the few grey strands. And unlike most in the room, he was clean shaven.

   “For the last time Travak!” The Falionite cried. “The prince is dead! He didn’t make it out of the masicaer that took the rest of his family -”
Drey had had enough of this. He cleared his throat loudly. Anyone who hadn’t taken notice of him before had now.
The two men looked at him, mouths gapping. He took this as the perfect time to get a word in.
   “No, actually, I didn’t. As you can see I’m very much alive and well. Thank you for you concern though.”
The man that had stayed out of the argument all together, chuckled.
Drey looked at him again, his eyes widening as he recognized the man.
   “Gregory!” He cried, running up to the old man.
   “Oh Dreyden my boy!” Gregory cried, hugiging him tightly.
   “I had hoped this day would come.” He said, letting the boy go.
   “Just look at you! All grown up, and you look just like your father.” Tears had sprung in Gregory’s eyes as he praised Eleyos.
   “Gregory.” The sharp tone of the red haired man brought them both back to the matter at hand.
   “As much as we would love to let you have your little reunion, we are in middle of a meeting. Page!”
The page boy melted out of the woodwork.
   “How did this commoner get in here?!”
Drey turned to Gregory.
   “What’s this man’s name?” He asked.
   “Ivan of Esquire.”
Dreyden nodded and ran back up to the large wooden throne and sat down on it.
This caused murmuring from most of the council members, but for Ivan of Esquire, it was an up roar.
   “Call the guards! Get this ruffian back onto the streets where he belongs!”
Drey’s eyes met Kade’s and he nodded. Kade moved and bolted the door shut.
   “Ivan,” Drey said in a cool tone. The man looked up at him in shock.
   “Shut your gop.”
More people joined in on the laughter this time.
   “And please, take a seat.”
   “Boy, you are disgracing the Royal Line by sitting on that throne.” Ivan argued.
   “No, actually I’m not. Now would you shut up and sit down. So I can explain what I mean?” Drey asked non too kindly.
Ivan obliged this time.
   “Thank you. Now to answer everyone’s question. Yes, I am prince Dreyden, son of Ast’Drev.”
An up roar ensued once again. But he was quick to stop it.
   “Don’t believe me?!” He shouted above the noise. He pulled off his ring and handed it to the closest member.
   “I have the Royal seal. No one has seen it in fourteen years, and that is because my father gave it to me.”
The ring circulated around the room, but when it came to Ivan he looked at Dray, doubt in his eyes.
   “How do we know this isn’t a fake?” He asked.
   “Because on the inside it is engraved ‘May Eleyos guide thy hand.’ No one knows that  is there except the people on this council.”
Ivan looked inside and reluctantly passed it on as he saw it was true.

Once it had come back to Drey and he had put it back on his finger, he moved on.
   “Well now that we have that settled,” He could see questions forming, but put up a hand to stop them.
   “I know all of you are dying to ask questions but I wont answer them until later this evening. My friends and I are both exhausted and hungry. I intend to let them eat and sleep before I reconvene this meeting later tonight. We have lots of things to discuss.”
He rose from the throne and moved to the door.
   “And please, don’t leave town.” He said to the shocked and awed council.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter 20: The Cost of Life



   “Alright so you both are happy, going to live forever after and all that as king and queen but can I ask, how on Cevlon are you going to do that?”
Elowen glanced up at Drey, fully content to let him answer Merek’s question. Drey cleared his throat and tried to figure out a way to do just that.
Luckily for him, Terryn jumped in.
   “Ah who cares? They’re young. They’ll figure it out as the go along!”
He picked up his mug of coffee and cheered. The girls laughed as they raised their own.
   “Here’s to you!” Terryn shouted over the usual noise of the tavern.
   “Aye!” Everyone agreed before taking a swallow of the warm drink.

Elowen sat down next to Ysmay and joined in on the light hearted talk as Drey ordered two more mugs of coffee.
The girls ‘awed’ as she retold what had happened in the forest.
   “Oh!” Sonera pulled out a little pouch from her belt. She set it on the table and opened it, taking out the small cake that the faeries had given her.
Ellie’s eyes grew wide in horror.
   “No! Don’t!” She cried.
Sonera jumped in surprise, but she had already taken a bite.
   “Spit it out!” Ellie jumped up and ran over to her, hitting her back causing her to spit the piece of cake across the table and into Merek’s face.
Everyone had fallen quiet, stunned as they watched Ellie check Sonera’s pulse, her eyes, and her mouth frantically.
   “Ellie what’s wrong?” Ysmay asked, finally breaking the silence.
   “Sonera how do you feel? Anything…out of the ordinary?” Ellie asked, ignoring Ysmay’s question for the time being.
   “Well…now that you mention it…” Sonera said slowly. When she tried to focus on Merek, there seemed to be two of him. The room was swimming, and black spots were covering her vision.
They never got an answer out of her, before she collapsed against Ysmay.
The boys toppled their chairs over as they jumped forward.
   “What’s wrong with her?” Merek asked, the cake wiped away from his face now.
   “Oh I should have tossed those cakes out as soon as we had left the Forest. -” Ellie mumbled as she began to check Sonera’s pulse again.
   “- Ellie what’s wrong with her? -”
   “- You never know what Pixies are up to, they’re always tricking people and now they’ve gone and poisoned the cakes and -”
   “Ellie!” Drey’s worried voice cut through to her. She looked up and saw that everyone was as worried as she was.
   “What is wrong with her?” He asked.
Ellie shook her head.
   “I - I don’t know. We have to get her up to the room in order to figure that out.”
The boys nodded and moved to pick her up.

.:+++:.

Ellie wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her sleeve. She let out a sigh of relief, stepping away from the cot that Sonera now slept on.
   “Is she going to be alright?” Ysmay asked.
   “Well…She is running a high fever, so we’ll have to take turns watching her through out the night.”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
   “How - How long do you think it’ll take for her to heal completely?” Merek asked.
Elowen hesitated to answer.
   “We’ll have to see in the morning.”

.:+++:.

   “Did ye hear?”
   “Infidels.”
   “Aye, Mercos saw a whole army marching due north of here.”
   “Where in the name of Eleyos could they be going?”
   “Don’t know. Rumor has it that they be headin’ to Asmodea.”
Drey’s head snapped up at the news. His eyes sought out the table full of farmers sitting around with steaming mugs in between their hands.
   “Can I get you another mug sir?”
Drey looked up and saw the inn keeper’s daughter standing in front of him.
   “Oh no thanks.” She was about to walk off when he caught her elbow. “Excuse me,”
The girl turned back and waited for him to continue. “but is it true about the Infidels?” He asked.
The girl nodded.
   “Yes sir. I’m afraid so. Saw ‘em with my own eyes.”
Drey nodded and she went on her way.
After sitting there a few more moments, he jumped up from the table and ran out the door of the tavern.

He ran across the white snow that had just freshly fallen in the market place. He then ran onto the low wall that surrounded the village. But that height didn’t allow him to see what he was looking for. He glanced around and saw a flag pole with the Asmodea flag flying proudly. He hadn’t seen the flag in years, but it was still the same as he remembered. The white staff of a Magi crossed with the royal sword, topped by the crown.
He quickly scrambled up onto the flag pole and balanced on the top. The wind had died down, so no snow was picking up. His line of sight could go right through the forest. It took him a moment to see anything but the falling darkness in the forest. But he soon saw shadows moving steadily, and upon looking further he could distinguish actual human forms.
   “Oi! Get down from there boy!”
Drey glanced down and saw an elderly man, bearing arms, looking up at him.
Dreyden jumped down from the flag pole and straightened his tunic.
   “Sorry sir.” He apologized.
The old man eyed him for a moment before gesturing to the woods.
   “Watching the enemy eh?”
Drey nodded. “Yes sir, I had to see them for myself.”
The patrol nodded and leaned his weary body against the wall.
   “Aye…Best see it for yourself than rely on rumors.”
   “Sir is there…Is there anything else that direction they could be headed for? Other than Asmodea?”
The patrol shrugged.
   “Not really son. They could turn back east, and head to Wedgemore, but an army that big? No, the real prize is Asmodea.”
Drey watched the army pass by solemnly.
   “Trouble’s brewing son. If the Legions don’t get their acts together we’re going to be in one hell of a state.”

.:+++:.

   “We have to go.” Dreyden stated as he walked into the room.
Everyone looked up in surprise at his sudden entry.
   “Go? Now?” Terryn asked.
   “Yes. Now.”
Ellie noticed the look in his eye, as did Merek.
   “What happened Drey?” He asked.
   “Infidels are on the move.”
Ellie rose to her feet at the news.
   “Where are they heading?”
Drey’s eyes met hers.
   “Asmodea.”
Gasps went through the two girls as the boys grew serious.
   “You saw them?” Terryn asked.
   “Aye, even asked one of the patrols what other possible targets there were in that direction.”
   “And?”
Drey shook his head.
   “There is none except Asmodea.”
   “What are we suppose to do with Sonera then?” Ysmay pointed out.
Everyone hesitated until Terryn spoke up.
   “Drey and Elowen need to get to Asmodea, we don’t.” He gestured to the remanding three.
   “We’ll stay here and watch over Sonera. You two go ahead, we’ll catch up with you.”
Elowen was about to protest when Ysmay reassured her.
   “He’s right. We’ll be fine.”
Elowen sighed and began to pack up her things.
   “Well brother,” Merek said, coming up to Dreyden. “I suppose this would have been goodbye, if I was staying here. However, I’m coming with you. And no! This is not open for discussion. I’m not about to let you walk into the dragon’s den with out me to back you up.” Merek finished with a grin.
Drey smiled back, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it, nor did he want to.
   “We’ll be expecting a letter to be sent out as soon as Sonera is well and before you travel.” Elowen instructed. Ysmay nodded and watched her dear friend sling her pack onto her shoulder and take up her staff.
   “I’ll see you again, Eleyos willing, in a few days time.” Elowen said, hugging Ysmay tightly, and then doing the same to Terryn.
   “And no magic while I’m gone.” She said, pointing a finger at him. “None.”
Ysmay chuckled at Terryn’s blushing cheeks.
   “I’ll keep him strait.” She called out as Drey led the trio out of the room.
   “Behave you two.” Merek instructed as he brought up the rear, smiling at them before he closed the door.
On the other side, he chuckled as he saw their stunned faces in his mind’s eye.
Aye, they’ll turn out just fine. He thought.

Chapter Ninteen

Chapter 19: Becoming One



The familiar beat of Thorodan's wings became a calming lullaby. The wind whipping through his hair made his lips crack, and his nose numb, but he wasn't thinking on those things.
His thoughts were on his mission, and how he was to go about it.
Before, he would have turned around. But now, he knew he couldn't, and a new sense of purpose flooded through his spirit like a crashing wave.
   From what little he knew about Falion, he knew he would either have to convince a king, or a council. Neither of those was he looking forward to convincing.

Night had begun to fall when he spotted the first village.
Forests had replaced the plain several leagues back. This he decided, was both good and bad.
The forest meant Thorodan would be easily hidden, but also make it harder for him to land, and easier for Kade to get lost on his way back to the yerto, or to the village.
He was careful not to let the yerto near the village as they searched for a clearing, he had no desire to be looked down in fear or anger when he walked into the village, as they asked questions about the strange bird flying over their roofs.
They finally found one not too far from the village, that Kade would not freeze before he got there, but far enough into the dense forest, they wouldn't be found by accident.
Thorodan landed, squawking as his feet came in contact with the cold ground. Kade immediately jumped down and looked around the clearing with a sharp eye.
There was nothing to see, except the darkness between the dense trees, and the snow falling lightly, covering any tracks on the ground that might have been there before.
Kade had made a note while they had flown that the village was due north, he glanced up and looked at the position of the sun and nodded. It shouldn't take him too long to get there.
He then looked around and saw a small alcove of tall bushes and immediately walked over to investigate.
He found no animal living there, the wall of bushes was pointed towards the north, which was good, so the wind would not hit the opening.
Quickly he hacked down a few branches from surrounding trees, along with a few other bushes to create a temporary shelter.
He whistled to Thorodan and guided him into the shelter. It was just tall enough for the bird to have head room, while sitting down.
   "There you go old boy. I'm going to go down to the town. I'll come back in the morning and then we'll be on our way. I'll bring you back some jerky, I promise." He said, rubbing the bird's neck affectionately, before plunging into the dark forest.

The villagers of Calsven were going about their usual lives. The women took care of the children while doing the laundry, or going to the market, while the men went hunting, or attended their sheep or prepared for the next farming season.
The last thing they excepted was a new arrival in the their humble little town. But there he was none the less. Frozen half to death and asking for directions to the inn.

Anna walked along the streets, a basket balanced on her head, her free hand clutching her numerous skirts out of the brown snow. She turned to the corner into the market square and froze as if the ice had touched it's fingers on her joints, not allowing her to move.
Her eyes clasped in on a violet pair that looked strange. She saw the dark hair that framed the young boy's face, the flush of his cheeks and the cloud of his breath on the air. She saw his cloak wrapped tightly around him to ward off the cold, and the warned look in his face that said he had traveled a great distance.
She looked around and spotted her sister coming up behind her.
   "Eleanor, here," she handed her sister the basket. "Take this and sell it to farmer Aidan. He should give you thirty yewns for it."
Eleanor gave her sister a quizzical look, but Anna was already running across the square to the boy that was about to collapse from exhaustion.
   "Come let me help you sir." She said, swinging his arm over her shoulder just as he legs gave out. When she moved his hand, she saw a flash of hard leather, and in the belt hugging his hips, was a long sword.
She quickly got over the shock as the boy pulled himself up onto his feet.
   "I'm sorry ma'am. I am looking for the inn." He said, his voice husky and harsh, his accent was unfamiliar to her. He pronounced every word crystal clear, unlike the low hum and blur that everyone she knew spoke with.
   "Come, my father owns the inn. Let me show you where it is." She said, letting go of the boy and lead the way down the streets of Calsven.

When Anna bought the stranger into her father's inn, her father was immediately on them, setting the boy up in a private room, ordering a hot meal for him and arranging him access to the hot springs in the back of the inn, that the family had turned into a place where weary travelers could rest their feet and over come their aches of their travels.
That night Kade slept though it peacefully, for the first time in a long time.

{+++}

Sonera was growing anxious.
She trusted Eleyos with all her heart, but she still couldn't help but wonder where Kade had ended up.
And it wasn't hard for Ysmay and Elowen to read her thoughts.
They exchanged glances as they watched Sonera's restless attitude.
   "Sonera, it's going to be fine. We'll find him." Ysmay spoke up, clasping the girl's hands to keep them still.
Sonera sighed and smiled at the smaller girl.
   "Am I that obvious?" She asked.
Elowen smiled and came up beside her.
   "Only to us lasses. The lads don't see a thing."
Sonera laughed at this, and the two girls looked relieved to hear it.

The gang had been walking for days, following Elowen's knowledge of Falion, the gang made their way from the Arriescent Ruins and towards Asmodea.
Outside the protection of the Illumination Forest, they were greeted by harsh winds and snow blizzards.

   "Well this is fantastic." Merek noted gloomily, barely audible over the wind.
Ellie sighed and pulled out Drey's map again.
   "The closest town is Calsven." She informed. "It's several leagues due north."
Drey nodded and shifted his pack.
   "Then lets get going."
Merek and Drey led the group into the snow, knowing that the small town was their only hope of a warm meal and soft bed.

They didn't go very far before they saw a second forest rise up from the ground.
   "Is that more of the Illumination Forest?" Merek shouted over the wind.
Ellie sook her head as she pulled her robe tighter.
"No, that is the Zipora forest." She hollered back.
He nodded and turned to Drey. The two discussed what they were going to do.
As they came to a decision, they led them into the forest's edge.
   "The forest is due north." Drey explained. "So we'll go through it and hopefully get out of this wind."
Ellie nodded, agreeing it was a good plan.
   Once inside the shelter of the forest, they paused a moment to catch their breaths.
Ellie looked around at her friends and shook her head.
   "We might have a wee problem when we get into Calsven." she said.
Sonera tossed her silver locks out of her blue eyes and placed her hands on her hips.
   "And what's that then?" She asked.
Elowen gestured to her and Ysmay.
   "I know on Cevlon it is alright for a lass to dress as a lad. But down here that's not done. We'll stick out like a sore thumb. And lads! No one is going to help us if they see how armed you are."
They all glanced at each other and found that she was right.
   "But Ellie," Ysmay spoke up. "How are we suppose to get new clothes? You are the only one dressed appropriate, how are you to carry it all?"
   "I'll buy one set of clothes and bring it back for you, once you've changed you can help me gather the rest."
Ysmay nodded in agreement.
   "Sounds like a plan lass." Merek said. Then he nudged Drey in the ribs.
   "She's a real keeper that one."
Drey looked as if he could murder him, but Elowen was just laughing.
   "Come on then. I could do with thicker skirts." She said. Sonera and Ysmay agreed eagerly since they now knew that they're leather pants didn't do much against the hard winter.
   "Aye, I'm with you on that." They said with a chuckle.

{+++}

After Ysmay and Elowen had changed into dresses with thick wool skirts, and sheeps skin vests, the two went out into the market againt to gather up some more clothes for the rest.
As Elowen bartered for a plane green dress for Sonera, she over head two women talking, on their way home.
   "We don't get many strangers in the middle of winter." One lady was saying, deep in thought.
   "Aye," Agreed her companion. "And such a strange lad too. That violet gaze. I've never seen anything like it."
Ellie froze a moment in shock. But quickly recovered as the man behind the counter handed her the dress she had paid for.
   "Thank you sir." She said with a smile as he dipped his head in acknowledgement and Elowen hurried off  to meet Ysmay in the middle of the square.
Ysmay appeared, arms loaded with tunics, vests, jackets, and a single cloak.
   "Drey always forgets his cape." she explained as she gave half the pile to Elowen with a motherly smile. Ellie just giggled.
   "Well lets hurry up before night falls. I bet Sonera's freezing with nothin' but those leather legging she wears." Ellie noted as she took off leading the way back to the forest where they had left their friends.

   "Wait, so Kade was here?" Sonera asked as she tried the vest on tightly over her jacket, then placing her cape on over it.
   "Oh, this is much better." She remarked as she glanced down at her new dress, while she placed her weapon belt on her hips.
   "It is isn't it? I might not go back to leather leggings." ysmay agreed.
   "But back to Kade. Do you know if he's still here?" Sonera repeated. Ellie gave a little shrug.
   "I don't know. But I'm sure we can ask the innkeeper."
Drey came out from behind a thick screen of bushes, tightening his weapons belt subcounciously, as he listened into the girls' conversation.
   "We can definitely ask." He agreed, coming up beside Ellie as he went to fix his quiver.
   "Well of course we can ask!" Merek cried, still behind the bushes.
   "But first I want a nice hot meal and some good coffee."
   "Hey!" Ysmay shouted in offence. "What's wrong with my coffee?!"
Terryn stumbled otu into view, tripping over his laces.
   "There's nothing wrong with your coffee." He objected as he knelt to tie up his boots.
   "Lad, your vision is tainted, so when it comes to Ysmay's coffee let me be the judge." Merek said, coming out and pushing Terryn over into the snow.
Ellie sighed and handed Drey his new cape.
   "come on. Let's get some rooms before there's none left." She said with a roll of her eyes.

   "I have to say, that was the best meal I've had in a long while." Merek declared as he slammed his mug onto the beaten up table.
Ysmay rolled her eyes and dutifully ignored him.
Drey nudged Sonera and gestured to the innkeeper. She eagerly nodded, and the two of them jumped up and walked over to him.
   Ellie watched them, though they were too far away for her to hear what they were saying.
   "You're not getting a wee bit jealous are you lass?" Merek asked with what would have been a strait face if it wasn't for the smile lurking on his lips.
   "Merek! Have some respect." Ysmay hissed, hitting his head with her mug, splashing some of her coffee onto his new vest.
   "Oi! Watch what you're doing lass! You got it all over my new vest!"
Ysmay ignored him once again and gave Ellie an apologetic look, but Ellie had decided enough was enough.
   "To be entirely honest Merek," She said. "No. I am not jealous. Drey is his own person, I can not control his feelings towards me. If he likes me or not is his business, and blast it all if he doesn't! -"
   "But I do like you." A voice mumbled behind her.
She almost wanted to cry when she heard those words.
Merek and the rest of the lot looked happy. As if they knew this and were just waiting for him to say something.
But ever since he had confirmed her dreams, she was hoping the feelings would go as just a passing fancy.

   "...Ellie? Are you alright lass?" Ysmay asked, noticing something was off.
Ellie met her eyes, and thoguh her voice refused to conjour up words, her eyes gave more than enough.
She couldn't take the five pairs of eyes on her, waiting for her to confess feelings that could never be.
She jumped out of her chair, letting it topple to the floor with a clatter that got drowned among the loud noise of the common room.
Ellie ran out into the snow not taking notice that she had left her cape on the table, she just kept running through the town square and out of the town completely.
She didn't stop until she was at the edge of the forest, there she leaned against one of the trees.
Tears spilled over hot, but instantly became ice as they rolled down her cheeks. Her sobs wracked her whole body 'til it became uncontrolable.
   "Eleyos, if it's impossible, then why did you put these feelings here?" She cried, collapsing in the snow, hugging her legs to her chest.
   "I know all things happen for a reason, but this?" She knew it was selfish to cry. She wasn't crying because the feelings were there. She was crying because she could never act upon them.
She would end up just like the monks in the monastery.
Growing old, alone.

Something warm was drapped over her. She was grateful for the cloak, but refused to acknowledge the person crouched next to her.
  "Ellie I'm sorry." Drey's voice had an instant calming affect on her. So much so she had difficulty keeping her guard up.
   "I - I..." the boy hung his head and let out a sigh. "I didn't mean to just blurt it out like that. I just couldn't help myself. I thought it had been pretty obvious. Since everyone else seemed to know about it."
Elowen's sobs had stopped, and now she took a deep breath.
   "It was obvious Drey." She whispered
His head shot up in surprise.
   "I mean why else would you break me out of jail, or go to some where you haven't been too since your childhood, and bring your family with you on top of that?"
Drey hesitated a moment before responding.
   "Well if you put it that way, yeah I guess it is pretty obvious. so why did you...?" He refused to finish that sentence, but waiting for her to answer was almost just as bad.
Ellie sighed and finally looked at him.
   "Because it can never work Dreyden." She answered.
His face was full of confusion.
   "Why not?"
She drew in a sharp breath before answering.
   "Because you are the prince, soon to be king. Its going to be hard enough getting the two worlds to unite under the same line, what do you think they'll say if they see you marrying a lass that is nothing but an orphan and a Magi on top of it?! I can't imagine what the Cevlonians will think of that since they already killed me."
She pushed herself onto her feet and walked a few paces away.
   "You're acting as if I'll take up the throne!" Drey called after her.
   "You are! Other wise what your parents did for you will mean nothing. And the line truly will die!"
   "What if I don't want the responsibilities?!" Drey rose from his crouch and walked towards her. His cheeks were flushed, his hair blown across his forehead. She saw he had forgotten his own cloak, but showed no sign of feeling the cold.
   "Do you know how big my father's shoes are? Do you know how much I’ll have to go through to get accepted, or even acknowledged that I am the heir. And after that I not only have to keep up with one kingdom, but two! What if - What if I just want a normal life as a normal hunter?"
Elowen realized what he was asking in between the lines. And she came to a very hard decision that almost tore her in two.
   "Dreyden listen to me very closely." She looked him evenly in the eyes with such a fire in her own that he was  a bit startled.
   "I cannot marry you when you are a king. Nor will I marry you if you shun everything and become estranged to your own heritage. Something's are never meant to be." She then stood there, her face set in determined lines, and Drey knew he wouldn't be able to change her mind.
Taking a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers, he leaned in. Elowen's breath got caught in her throat, as she screamed in her head. Surely he wouldn't disrespect me to that extent!
But Drey would never dishonor her in even the smallest way.
He simply leaned close to her ear.
   "I can live as a king, or as a hunter, but I will never stop loving you." He whispered.
Elowen's eyes grew wide in shock.
Drey knew that she would hold true to her word. But he also had been shocked to find that she was so desperate for him to become king that she would with hold her own feelings for the greater good of the kingdoms. It was because of her own strength, that he knew he would do anything to make her happy. Including taking up his heritage once more.
   "Why else would I break you out of jail? or come to a place I haven't been since childhood, bringing my family with me?" He asked, coming away from her so he could see her face.
   "It's because I love you Elowen."
She was shaking her head, trying to deny it all.
   "One cannot fall in love so quickly Drey -"
   "If it's Eleyos' will then yes one can." Drey answered back coolly.
Elowen wanted to believe that was true. No. She knew it to be true because she had felt that way for a long while now. But...
   "But Drey I -"
He took a hold of her small shoulders.
   "I would never force anything on you Elowen. Never. But because of you, I will take up the throne. Or at least try. But I need you to do something for me,"
Her heart had soared and dropped in one instant.
   "Tell me you don't feel the same way, so I don't have false hopes and can burry these feelings and not speak of them again."
Tears sprang up from her eyes once again.
   "Drey -" Pleading was in her voice and he couldn't stand it.
   "No. Just say it so I can put this behind me." He said firmly, hanging his head so he couldn't see the pain in her tears.
Elowen reached up with her cold fingers and ran them through his hair. It was soft like she thought it might be, and she hadn't realized how many times she had wanted to run her fingers through them until she actually was.
   "I've been taught all my life not to lie. And I'm not going to start now lad." she whispered.
He slowly reached up and grabbed her hands, pulling them out of his hair.
For a moment, she was scared she had gone too far, but the thought was quickly dismissed.
Guided by an instinct he didn't quite know he had, Dreyden cupped her chin, running his thumb across her skin. His touch sent a shiver up her spine and she didn't dare breathe.
Drey hesitated only a moment, asking permission. His heart soared when she gave him the slightest head nod.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned in closer, his eyes watching her carefully. Her eyes fluttered close as he drew nearer, but after that, all he saw as a burst of colors so bright and vibrant they almost blinded him. He never knew he could feel so much in one instant, so much joy, happiness and contentment. He could have sworn he heard a child giggle.

It seemed forever, and only a moment when they broke apart. Panting as if they had been running hard.
For a single minute, they were in paradise. All the problems of their lives, forgotten.
But then reality came crashing back, stealing Ellie's breath.
   "But Drey! What about -" He hushed her by placing a finger on her mouth.
   "I'm the prince El. I use to study the laws, and I don't remember anything that says  king can only marry royalty." He said with that calming smile she had always loved.
   "But it's been done for centuries." She protested, though she wasn't entirely sure why.
   "Yes, but that is just tradition. There is nothing in the laws that say I have to marry royalty. That's only happened in the past to unite other kingdoms."
   "I still don't think Cevlon will like it." She stated after a moment of thought.
Drey smiled at her worried face.
   "No. I don't believe they will but it really doesn't matter since I'm their king, they'll have to listen anyways. Have you realized how many times someone has said you'll be my strength? Don't you think they knew something?"
She opened her mouth before she could fully comprehend what he had said.
   "Well...Yes, I suppose so." She said slowly.
   "Then Eleyos must have meant for this to be."
She still didn't feel completely at ease, when a thought occurred to her.
  "Alright," She said, grasping his hands tight. "I will do anything you want within the laws of honor and chivalry, but you have to promise me something first."
Drey nodded solemnly.
   "Wait for things to cool down after you ascend the throne. It'll be hard enough for people to accept and get use to that, we needn't throw a marriage that breaks tradition at them as well."
Drey shook his head in wonder.
   "What would I do with out you?"
   "You'd still be trying to find something worth living for." She stated in all seriousness.
Drey laughed first at her serious answer, and then at her confused expression.
   "Come on, the others will be worried by now." He intertwined his fingers with hers and led the way back to Calsven.