Arimore

When Rowan returned to the troops they could hear battle cries in the distance. A group of the Kings loyal supporters had rallied to come to his aid. The country was divided. Many of the younger soldiers wanted change. They wanted new leadership. They wanted the one man they trusted above all else to be their King. They wanted Mason. The older more experienced men had been loyal to the King for so many years that they did not want change. They felt that Mason, although he was a good man, was not ready to be King. He did not have enough experience.

Masons men held the King in the dungeon where Elara and Sacha were held. When they heard the uproar they barricaded the entrance in order to keep their prisoner from being taken. The King sat in his cell and laughed as he heard the fighting above, “My loyal subjects will not give up so easily,” he stood and walked to the cell door, “If you release me now I will see to it that you are not punished for your insubordination.”

The young guard stood and faced the King, “Sire, you are an evil man. You take what does not belong to you and you give nothing in return. You create strife, hardship and,” he pointed to the door, “war when there is no reason. We as a nation have plenty yet your people go without food and shelter while your lavish lifestyle leaves you fat. I, unlike you, have a cause that is worth fighting for. I would rather die for an honorable cause than live with the shame of having failed the people I love.”

Mason and Rowan returned to the gates of Mardock to assist in the battle. Mason rallied the troops and forced King Andre’s supporters into a corner. Much blood had been shed on both sides. Prince Mason rode to the front of his troops and addressed the opposition, “Good men of Mardock,” he began, “I understand and respect your loyalty to the King but it is time for a change. We no longer want to see our people suffer. We no longer want to see war without cause. Please, I beg of you, lay down your arms. Enough Mardocian blood has been spilt this day. Look around you. You cannot win this battle. Stand with us and help us build a new Kingdom, one that treats its people and its neighbors fairly. It is not my desire to destroy this land but to rebuild it and make it better. Together we will be stronger than ever. Together we can conquer our own demons but we cannot continue to be a divided land. For too long our people have groaned under my father’s rule. For too long they have suffered while my father lavished himself with luxuries. I say no more! We are all people of Mardock. We have all worked hard to build this land. No one need be hungry. No one need suffer injustice any longer. Will you join me? Will you stand for what is right and just?”

The small group of remaining supporters of the King laid down their arms and raised their hands in surrender.

“No my brothers,” Prince Mason called out, “it is not my intention to arrest and imprison you. You are my countrymen. Peace for Mardock is all I desire.” He turned to his men, “Help these men. Get the wounded to the infirmary. See to it they are cared for.” He rode to Rowan and thanked him for all he had done. “It is time for us to rebuild. Thank you for all you have done. When Elara returns please extend to her our hand of friendship. Rowan, I have one thing to ask of you. Will you take my father back to Calithorne and hold him there until I call for him? I need to establish a new Kingdom here and as long as he is still within these walls the old Kingdom will be lurking in the shadows.”

“Of course. I will see to it that he is treated well. It has been an honor to stand with you,” Rowan gathered his troops and returned to Calithorne with the King.

Elara asked Ravenstone to take her to the clearing where she first found her, “I must call Sacha to me and together we must return to Calithorne.”

“I understand,” Ravenstone brought Elara back to the clearing, hugged her and returned to her home.

“Sacha, can you hear me?” Elara called.

“I am here,” Sacha replied.

“Are you well?”

“I am. I have been waiting for you.”

“Come to me Sacha, in the clearing where we last saw each other.” Within a few moments Sacha appeared in the sky above Elara. Elara gasped as she gazed upon Sacha’s glimmering white scales that reflected the sunlight off there shining surface. When Sacha landed Elara through her arms around her neck, “I have missed you.”

Sacha wrapped her wings around Elara, “And I you.”

“We must return to Calithorne,” she said.

“I will change into my human form.”

“No Sacha. If you are strong enough I would like to ride on the wind with you.”

“I would like that very much.”

Sacha bent down and Elara climbed on her back. They gently rose from the ground and lifted on the wind. Sacha circled above Mardock so Elara could see the remnants of the battle. “Go lower Sacha. Circle over the courtyard.”

Sacha circled low over the courtyard of Mardock. They were still clearing the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Elara looked toward the wall walk and saw Mason staring at her. Sacha flew close enough for Elara to hear him call out, “Queen of the dragons indeed!”

Elara smiled and signaled Sacha to head toward Calithorne. They lifted high once again and soared over the woods between the two Kingdoms. By ground it would have taken two days to ride between the lands but by air it seemed like only a few hours. As they saw Calithorne coming over the horizon Elara yelled into Sacha’s ear, “Land in the courtyard.”

“Are you sure?” Sacha was concerned about the panic it may cause seeing a dragon land in the middle of the courtyard.

“I’ve never been so sure,” Elara replied, “They need to know that you are our friend and there is no reason to fear you. After all you are the Queen’s sister.”

“We probably need to keep that part to ourselves for now,” Sacha cautioned.

“I agree.”

As she neared the courtyard people began to flee. They sought cover in buildings and under carts. Sacha landed softly in the courtyard as Rowan emerged from the castle doors.

“Elara, Sacha,” he ran to them, “I am so glad you are safe.”

“Thank you Rowan,” Elara replied, “I’m glad you are safe as well. I wish to freshen up then I want you to meet me in the throne room. We have much to discuss.” She turned to Sacha, “You may stay of you wish. I will have a place prepared for you.”

Looking at the frightened faces that peeked through windows and doorways Sacha replied, “For now I think it best that I return to Arimore. He still has much to teach me and,” she glanced toward the people cowering in the corner, “they need time to understand.”

“Very well,” Elara agreed, “Remember that we have a lot to discuss as well. As soon as I am finished here I will call you so we can talk.”

Sacha nodded, laid her head on Elara’s shoulder then lifted off the ground and headed back to Mount Crystos where Arimore waited for her return.

Elara went to her chambers to wash and dress in clean clothes then she headed for the throne room and her meeting with Rowan.

“My Lady,” Rowan bowed as she entered then waited for her to take her seat before sitting to her right. “I was beginning to worry about you.”

“I am fine,” she said then quickly changed the subject, “before Sacha brought me here I had her fly over Mardock. It appears that many lives were lost.”

“Yes, I’m sorry to say,” Rowan bowed his head, “many valiant men and women gave their all to help usher in a new Mardock. We lost close to a hundred men but I’m afraid Mardock lost many more. Those who remained loyal to the King fought valiantly to defend their cause but thankfully those who fought for justice and freedom ruled the day.”

“We must honor our lost. Have a special ceremony planned as soon as possible and have each one’s family brought as special guests. Make sure each family is cared for. I don’t want them to want for anything. Is there anything else you want to add?”

Rowan sighed, “Mason asked that we house the King here in our dungeon until things settle down in Mardock. I agreed and promised him that we would treat him well.”

“And we shall. Begin by having a chamber prepared for him; a King should not be held in a dungeon. Keep him under close guard but before you bring him to his chamber bring him to me. I must speak with him and make sure he understands that his stay here is temporary.”

Rowan rose and left to fulfill the Queens orders. Once all was in place he took two guards and retrieved the King from the dungeon. They brought him to the throne room where Elara waited.

“Your Majesty,” she bowed her head and waved him to sit to her left. She then waved Rowan to sit at her right and turned to the guards, “Please wait outside.” They left closing the doors behind them and took their post outside the doors. Elara returned her attention to King Andre who sat nervously next to her. “I have had Rowan prepare a chamber for your stay with us. I assure you that it will only be for a short time.”

“I do not want your pity or your gifts,” he retorted smugly.

Rowan stood in protest but Elara signaled him to remain calm. “Dear King, you do not seem to understand the situation. If it were up to me you would not be here at all. However, Prince Mason has asked that we allow you to remain here until he has established his rule at which time you will be returned and face whatever fate awaits you. Until that time I shall treat you as a guest in my home.” She noticed a grin on his face, “Do not let my kindness deceive you into thinking that I have let my guard down for I assure you I have not. Mason was promised that you would be treated well and you shall be but I am not a fool. You will remain in your chamber and be under heavy guard at all times.”

“So I’m just moving to another cell.”

“You can look at it that way if you wish but if you prefer I can return you to the dungeon.” The King was silent so she continued, “Very well. Unless you have something to say I will have the guard take you to your room.”

The guard came and took the King to the chamber prepared for him. It was a room in the upper portion of the castle with windows that faced Mardock. The room had everything the King would need for the duration of his stay.

Once they were gone Rowan turned to her and asked the question that he had be hungry for an answer to, “Elara, what happened to you?”

“Much has changed Rowan,” she sighed, “I had a guide in the tunnels, Arisbeth, who opened my eyes to many things. The days ahead will be challenging Rowan. I need to know that you will stand with me no matter how things may appear. I need your complete trust.”

“You should know that I would gladly give my very life for you,” Rowan’s voice had a touch of hurt to it, “that will never change.”