As the night reached it's peak something foul rustled along with the cane grass that hemmed the fields of Gauberhodgy. They did not linger for long but came, crawling and hopping and bounding some with wings that cut through the chilly winds like swift arrows. They traveled on swift feet that made no sound and their armor was light and silent as they moved following the orders of the captains that lead. Silent orders like the cry of an owl or a crickets chirp.
The watchman would not have seen them come and as he raised his horn to his lips, he choked back his own blood.
The fires went up though and the people of Gauberhodgy were shaken from their sleep.
"We are under attack my Queen!" Sir Silverus found Jensari fitting her leather gloves.
"I am very aware my good friend, fear not he has delivered himself into our hands."
The horses, great war horses of magnificent stature, trained to fight as much as their rider, reared before racing towards the enemy, their nostrils smoking. The archers raced to take their place but it would not be easy, Vermoth and his winged battalion had breached the walls. It was war.
"If you do not wish to fight you may help to evacuate the town". Lord Oldin was standing close to Alia, who was dressed in armor and held a sword with a determined look on her face.
"The Queen has already told me this, but Roland has my sister, I will see to it myself he is brought to his knees".
"Very well, suite yourself" he drew his own sword "Just try to keep up ". He smirked down at her and she couldn't help but grin. Challenge accepted.
The gates were thrusted open and with a bone curdling war cry, the Queen plunged forward. The two armies meet in the gate, with a clash of metal and screams of agony.
The atmosphere was tense and everywhere, men and monsters were locked in battle. The silent night suddenly awake. Alia watched wide eyed as the horrific events unfolded around her. Bloodshed and death. This was a real war, and suddenly she was helpless, she wanted to run, hide, but where? She watched as Netly who had traded his kitchen knives for a war hammer and an axe, jumped forward and in a series of swings brought death and pain to his adversaries.
She looked again and he was gone, lost in the din. And to her dismay, one of the horrific beasts was galloping towards her! She gripped her sword which had become twice as heavy and raised it only for it to be nocked from her hand. She was frozen, fearing the worst. When a shadow pounced on her attacker, poling him through and slaying the beast upon which he rode. As it went limp before her, she stared up with wonder at her hero, it was Lord Oldin. Grinning ever so smugly, how she loved that smug grin then!
The war raged on. But she was safe with the lion hybrid. Oldin. He too, like Netly had become a whole new being in the face of battle, he leapt from enemy to enemy, with a lion like strength and the grace of a cat. Forcing them away from her.
"Were are the waking willows?" she questioned as he had returned to her wiping perspiration from his forehead.
"The willows fear one thing greater than the scepter". Lord Oldin pointed to the fields from which a great cloud of smoke went up. "Fire. They might not risk aiding us".
Ahead, the Queen was facing of with a captain of the opposing force. Still Roland had yet to make an appearance.
"What? Has your Lord no courage that he should send his army into battle alone?" she taunted.
Roland's army pressed hard and the people of Gauberhodgy had been taken by surprise, Even with two Queens, they were begining to lose hope. Then the earth was shaken and the willows came tearing across the plains and through Roland's ranks. And men from Delorel too, lead by Princess Orpha herself and best yet. Gauberii and on his back stood Elrod. And Alia recognized with joy, Rwen! The tables had turned, drastically and when Roland's army were scattered and dismayed, he rode forward bringing two familiar faces. Candy and Dira!
"Surrender now people of Gauberhodgy, Less your princess taste death!" He roared. The battle had come to a standstill as both Rulers met.
"No you surrender Lord Roland for you have lost!" The Queen spat as she came to a halt.
Alia hurried to join Jensari and was surprised to see the Lord Roland. He was short not more than four feet and looked to be around 13 but ofcourse this could not be so as he was about the Queen's age. He caught her staring and rose from
his seat.
"Hand over the scepter or I will have them both killed, I have no fear if I'm to die afterwards, like you said I have already lost". he gestured and sword were placed over his captives.
The air was quiet again as the Queen weighed her options had she had the scepter she would have provided it, for the safety of her daughter but alas she did not. There were restless shuffles and Gauberii was taking a nap. The day was dawning yet the air had only gotten colder.
"Hand me over," Alia was startled to hear the voice beside her and whirled to find the princess of the willows.
"Are you sure?" she asked through chattering teeth.
"Yes! yes" she nodded eagerly offering the scepter.
Alia did not need more, she grasped the scepter and marched over to Roland.
"Release them now". she commanded holding the scepter out of reach. "And the scepter is yours, I promise".
He was stretching up on his toes with a childlike excitement and when the swords were lowered, Alia let the scepter fall into his waiting hands.
"Orpha! Dira!" The Queen ran forward to embrace her lost children only she was only half right.
"Fools!" Roland shouted rounding on them. "Don't you know you have given me all power?" He raised the scepter which emitted a light, for a second the people of Gauberhodgy shrank in fear. The light got brighter before the scepter fell to the ground. Lord Roland was gone. And only Queen Jensari and Alia knew were.
A roar broke the dawn, followed by shouts of victory that chased the remainder of Roland's army far beyond the plains and back to the gullies called Hebran.
"Queen Mother!" Orpha raced for her mother who looked between her and Candy in confusion.
"Candy!" Rwen ran forward to wrap her arms around a bewildered Orpha.
"While Alia looked on with a smile".
"Aren't you going to join the family reunion or would you rather see to the victory celebration, it will be grand". Lord Oldin was at her side again.
"I guess..." she shrugged moving forward she had missed her siblings so.