"Over here." After an uncomfortable drive through the torturous path leading out of Brisnet heights; the rough ride eased out. A straight path now laid before them, and on the end of said path, castle Garsley. Adelana's heart raced inexplicably, everyone was on edge. For all they know, death could come down knocking on their door. Children and elderly alike all looked perturbed. Earlier, the camp was taken down rather hastily and their leader; Adelana – seemed angry. They all looked at her while she carefully stared out the back. Dust and rubble lifted behind them; they truly were on Dorchester's desert soil. The land looked empty and vast, no sign of plants nor life, a desert. The only thing present was destroyed vehicles, rotting corpses, and used weapons.
Occasionally, a group of people, mostly surviving soldiers abandoned by their faction would bunch up and kill themselves. It was common practice, a soldier who doesn't die in the war and who is left behind has to kill himself. That practice was brutal and unfair, but they obeyed without any regrets. After the deed was done, scavengers would loot the bodies. Torn arms, flesh, body parts, they left none to the wild. Necromancy existed and body parts fetched for a good price, war-torn provinces like this were an untouched treasure waiting to be conquered by them. Those scavengers were most commonly referred to as the Merchants of death and consisted of run-away fighters, mercenaries, and robbers. Working for dark cults was their only source of income and having a bounty on their head proved to be more of a hassle. Anything associated with necromancy and the illegal use of magic was a crime deemed so bad that killing on sight was the only judgment they got. Merchants of death, their insignia was a blank and grey circle, sign of being alienated from society.
The trucks swiftly passed them; the grey circle stood out. Instead of being aggressive and attacking Adelana and her party, she waved; and they returned the greeting. People thought of those people as heartless monsters, but she knew better for she had personally met the ring leader years ago. They just did whatever was needed to ensure their survival. Most of the members knew and had heard about the silver guardians, unofficially they were friends, but that was off the record. After the war was over, many corpses that weren't lucky enough to get buried as Staxius ordered were
handed off to them – at night, under the cover of the shadows.
The journey continued, the hill atop which castle Garsley stood, came into view. A sigh of relief was heard. "Over here," Undrar yelled, she anxiously awaited their return. Everything felt peaceful, the truck entered through the main gate and into the castle's front yard.
"Is this a village?" one of the kids whispered. "Yes, this is a village, a small but friendly place for you to live." Her face eased up, she smiled. A load was taken off her chest, but it still hurt, something bothered her. Everyone got off, waiting for them, the people who've lived here since the news that the duchess had asked any surviving soul to come to take refuge. "Welcome to castle Garsley,"
Millicent spoke, she came to personally greet the villagers of Frostrest. With their head bowed, they thanked her and soon left to explore the vicinity. The kids quickly became acquainted with the other younglings and the whole place grew livelier.
"Congratulations on making it back," they entered the castle. The tavern still worked at full power, mercenaries from other provinces heard rumors of their peril and came to look for work. They hoped to be hired as bodyguards; seeing that Dorchester's army was close to nonexistent. "Don't breathe a sigh of relief yet, Kreston still is a threat," the footsteps increased in pace. "Take a breather," the door opened. "I can't rest on my laurels just yet." They entered; the throne room looked as imposing as ever.
Following them behind, another pair of feet. Whoever that was, ran. "What is it?" Adelana turned around and asked, it was Alyson. "Good to see you again," Undrar came from the opposite hallway.
"N-no time to talk," Alyson ran inside, it was urgent, Undrar followed close behind.
"I-It's t-the defending p-party, Annet just reported than Ayleth was mortally injured."
"Impossible," Adelana's face changed for the worst. She nearly took off running, Undrar held back
her shoulders. "Let go of me," her voice felt faint and filled with sorrow. "She said was, and not is mortally injured, implying that Ayleth is out of harm's way." Her surge of emotion subsided. "W-way to s-spot the intricacies." Alyson regained her breath. "That's not the issue, from what Annet reported, the village is destroyed. Though they have back-up, holding and keeping Brisnet heights from being conquered is impossible, as quoted by someone named Julius."
"What do you mean quoted?" Adelana asked.
"That's what Annet wrote, she also said that if it continues at this pace, their chances of survival will go down to zero. Fighting with only three fighters is hard a burden, and her strength is exhausted, not to mention she's out of arrows and equipment."
"Did she say anything more about Ayleth's situation?" Millicent ignored the part about not being able to fight.
"She said that if not given proper treatment, she's going to die," Alyson replied.
"We need to get them back here," Millicent's tone grew serious. "what about the orders given by Staxius?" Adelana asked. "I'm the one in charge here, officially and by name, I'll take the blame later, just get everyone back here safely." Millicent's eyes filled with conviction. "Don't worry about Staxius, I'll handle him," Undrar patted Millicent's back, "-go bring them back home."
"Thank you for that, Viola." Millicent included; everyone ran out. The mercenaries looking for jobs were hired as part of a rescue operation. Undrar headed up the castle walls, "you knew this would happen, didn't you, Staxius." Her gaze fixed on how efficiently Adelana ordered everyone around.
"Gather and bring equipment." Undrar faintly heard her. On top of that, in such a short amount of time, she mobilized a small platoon of twenty men. "Impressive," she now stared at Brisnet heights.
"Undrar? A familiar voice spoke or rather came from nowhere. "Are you there?" It continued intruding her peaceful moment of rest, she knew exactly who it was. "Yes," she unwillingly answered back. "UNDRAR," it screamed. "No need to scream when using telepathy, it gives me a headache, greetings to you too, Staxius." She replied, her eyes closed, she sat down.
"What do you want?" she asked, her eyes reopened, she stared at the sky.
"Sorry, but I've been feeling restless, is everything alright?"
"No, of course not, you did send some of your friends to die." She fired back sarcastically. "Did anyone die though?" the tone remained calm. "Ayleth is badly hurt, but we've already sent out back-up to bring them back."
"Let me guess, it was Millicent who gave the order?" he added smugly.
"I was right, you planned this from the start, didn't you. You wanted to make Millicent realize her authority and that she could not always rely on you, a bit unconventional and filled with faults but it worked. I'm happy to say that she took initiative and made sure that everyone survived."
"You give me too much credit, Undrar. I just wanted Millicent to have a glimpse of what it's like to
hold the lives of loved ones in your hand."
"I bet you didn't envision Julius going out to save Frostrest as well as provide support."
"He did what?" after a quick pause, he resumed, "- guess he did what he thought was best, that man still has his humanity. It's just hidden behind the tough guy act. I'll just assume you have everything in control."
"Yes, what about you, did Arda attack?"
"Indeed, they did, I probably won't be back for days, weeks and maybe months. Tell Millicent to welcome Julius with open arms, he will join the noble council of Dorchester as another duke and will bring years of experience as his asset."
"As you wish, but what about you?" she remained adamant.
"I'm going to meet the queen of Arda, as a prisoner." The telepathic link cut. "Good luck, a fairy isn't someone you can play with, Staxius, be on your guard." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Guess it's my turn to go help," wings sprouted from her back, her hair changed to black as well as her lips. "It's been a long time," a single flap of her wings, she vanished.
"Why was I even worried, my companions are far more reliable than I give them credit for." He entered the mansion and went straight to where Aurora rested. The bed-sheets were covered with bloodstains from earlier, she rejoiced the smell and held a massive grin. Staxius had planned on acting like a convict; from what the vampire told him. The queen didn't care if he was brought in alive or dead, though it was probably favorable for him to be alive. It would make dishing out punishment and judgment upon a criminal more satisfying. Not to mention, it would scare off anyone trying to wrong her. He was of the same mind, in her shoe, he would have done the same.
"Knock, knock," instead of physically knocking on the door, Staxius just said it out loud and entered the room without waiting.
Aurora heard it and hid out of fear. Then realized her mistake, and removed the blanket. "Alright
Aurora," he came closer, she sat upright. "Are you sufficiently heal and rested?" he asked out of habit. "Y-yes," she faced him but her gaze laid on the dragon under his neck, Undrar's blessing, and insignia. "As I've told you before," he leaned back, sat on the chair, and stared outside. It looked as if he was visiting someone special, the room could be mistaken to be a hospital. The empty bookcases, a single painting hanging in front of the bed, slightly inclined and the gloomy light cause by the rain – gave a feeling of unrest yet romantic. As he had read in the rare short stories, he got his hands on back in the day, this fitted exactly the scene on one said book. Here the protagonists were to profess their love to one another, remembering that scene, he chuckled and forgot what he was about to say.
"Years waiting, years searching, years failing, and years of contempt for my existence, I finally, at last, find you. Sadly, fate has made a mockery of my poor soul, you lay there as peacefully as the sea on a windless day, while I stand here with the opposite effect. My heart rages as if possessed." He quoted a passage from the book out of boredom.
"Raging as you may be, I've waited for your return, oh – dear thief; the one who stole my heart so long ago. My body holds no more strength nor vigor to make my traitorous mouth move. I'm trapped between life and death; I now walk through a tunnel. At the end of the said tunnel, I see your face, your smile, and your kindness. I grow weak, my heart beats slower and slower, how I wish I could feel your tender lips upon mine." Unexpectedly, she quoted the next bit.
"Marvelous, I didn't know anyone else had read that apart from me." He leaned closer.
"A sad story about two lovers never meeting each other, the ever-growing distance between two individuals brought together by death, I thoroughly enjoyed it." She smiled.
It was completely irrelevant, Staxius said it out loud, but getting an answer back from Aurora made him joyous. "We do have something in common after all," he said while looking at her.
"Were you serious about going to meet the queen?"
"Yes, you're to take me there as your captive."
"As you wish," she stood up and conjured a binding spell around Staxius. "I'll do as you say, don't blame me if you end up dying." She pulled out her tongue. "You're getting rather comfortable around me aren't you?" he asked with a grim tone. "Is that a bad thing?" she shuddered. "No, it's completely fine. I'm glad to know that you bear no anger against me, who've tortured you out of spite. Do remember that out there in Arda, you'll be the only one I'm familiar with, but do not by any chance stand up for me if I'm put to death. Let it all play out; I'll figure something out." She nodded.
"Follow me," she stepped out. "Aren't you weak from sunlight?" Staxius followed close behind, they climbed down the stairs. "I'm not that weak as you think," she opened the door and stepped into the open as if it were nothing. "It's your funeral," he mumbled. She took him to the middle of town, where the church was located. That Kreston crest, the one that called out to him, was, in fact, a portal brought in by Arda. It was the only way that they could access Dorchester. The elves were the ones who brought it here, news that the noble district was abandoned had reached her majesty's ears. They climbed the roof, she carefully explained how and why the crest was put here. And some unrelated matters which could prove to be important.
The crest now stood in touching distance. "Before we walk in, I want you to remember something, Arda is a place unlike any other. You better not speak if you don't want to end up dead. Do look down when we walk, don't stare around, because the instant we step in, we'll be in the royal palace. Leave all the talking to me, and you should be able to see the queen before she kills you. I mean, that is what you want right? You want to see her strength for yourself. Now, I don't have the right to say this but there are rumors floating around that she's a fairy, a powerful one at that."
"You're piquing my interest even more." He said in a joyful tone, "I guess it's time to see what the
future has in store for me."
"I forgot," she conjured cuffs, not metal hand-cuffs but a spiritual one. It appeared transparent but had a faint red color moving all around it. "That's the vampiric version of an unbreakable imprisonment spell taught by her majesty herself."
"Doesn't look that powerful to me," he tried pulling them apart but was surprised by how efficient
it was. The crest vanished and the portal opened, it shone as brightly as staring at the sun. Practically blinded, he closed his eyes and followed Aurora inside. Everything felt lifeless, it was as if flying. It held similarities to the portal separating the living from the dead, the gateway to the hall of rebirth. "This feeling of nostalgia, I fully expect Lord Death to nonchalantly appear before me and say something rather stupid."
"How dare you accuse me of being stupid," Staxius opened his eyes, he thought he heard his mentor but it was just his imagination. "Fairy or not, here I come, Arda."