Arimore

King Andre signaled to his spy who had infiltrated the Royal Guard of Calithorne. He had been waiting for just the right moment to escape and return to reclaim his crown. The guard readied a horse and then relieved the guard at the Kings door. Once they were alone he led King Andre to the stable and aided him in slipping out past the guards at the gate by creating a diversion. King Andre rode quickly toward Mardock. He was less than half a days ride behind Elara. It wasn’t long before the escape was discovered and Gabriel called a company of riders to go after the King. He also sent a raven with a message of the Kings escape to warn Elara.

Arimore sat at the opening of his den staring at the moon with Sacha at his side. Suddenly his head lifted as he sniffed the cool night air, “What is this?” he growled, “Something is moving on the air.”

Sacha began to smell the same thing. There was the smell of dust and horses wafting on the breeze. “I smell it too,” she replied.

“Stay here while I go see what’s moving this late hour.” He lifted from his perch and swooped toward the meadow. As he circled he saw two horses riding like the wind. It was Elara and Rowan heading toward Mardock. Behind them was a lone rider followed by a group of soldiers. Arimore swooped low over Elara and landed on the path ahead of her.

“Where do you ride this late?” he asked as she approached.

Stunned by the sight of Arimore she pulled up the reigns and came to a stop, “We are riding to Mardock to aid King Mason. King Andre escaped and I’m certain he will try to recapture his throne.”

“The single rider,” he let slip.

“You saw him?”

“Yes, he is behind you.” Arimore looked carefully at Elara, “How may I ask did you get ahead of him and not see him?”

“I don’t know,” she replied, “He must have heard us coming and hidden until we past.”

“Hmm, well you now have him trapped between you and your guards. If you turn around you should be able to catch him.”

“Thank you Arimore,” she replied and signaled Rowan to head back toward Calithorne to intercept the King. “Rowan, I will continue to Mardock and let Mason know that we are aware of his father’s position and should have him in our custody shortly. Once you have recaptured him bring him to Mardock. I no longer believe it is safe to keep him in Calithorne. Have Gabriel return to Calithorne with half of the troops and tell him to find the one who aided his escape. I want whoever is responsible thrown in the dungeon. I’ll deal with them personally when I return.”

“Yes my Lady,” Rowan turned and rode back. He didn’t like leaving her with Arimore but he knew it was the only way.

She turned back to Arimore, “Arimore, now that Rowan is gone I need to ask you something. You have been through the Luminescence before can you tell me what you felt as the days went on? I’ve been feeling very odd lately.”

He eyed her suspiciously, “Odd? How so?”

“I find myself staring at the moons. It’s like they have me mesmerized.”

“Yes,” he relaxed, “Their pull becomes stronger each night. I have felt this as well. Sacha and I have spent the past few nights sitting atop Mount Crystos just staring at them. It’s as if they call to you.”

“Exactly,” she shouldn’t have been surprised at his response but she was, “Is there a way to stop it? I am afraid this allowed my guard to fall and that may be why King Andre was able to escape and then elude me on the road.”

“Unfortunately child it is not something you can control. This is the moons way of sorting out your heart. In the early days of Luminescence the dominant moon searches your heart to find the true nature of your soul then it takes control of the lesser part and passes it to the subservient moon. This is how it controls your magic and decides which part of you will be dominant on Calisto. Do not try to fight it. Let it see the real you.” His head hung in sorrow, “You are good at heart as is Sacha. You have nothing to fear from the moons. I on the other hand have a streak of evil imbedded deep within my heart that betrays me every time no matter how hard I try to change.”

“But you are good, Arimore. I have seen nothing but good in your heart.”

“Thank you Elara,” He lifted off the ground and turned his head to look at her, “but you cannot let your guard down with me. I have yet to defeat the evil within which means there is a good chance that Calisto will bring forth the part of me that I despise the most.” He left her and flew back toward Mount Crystos.

Elara felt sorry for him and prayed that he would somehow overcome the evil in his heart and let the good that she had seen within him be victorious. She rode on toward Mardock alone.

Rowan reached the King first. He ordered the King to dismount, “King Andre lay down your sword. There is no use in fighting.”

“No use?” he replied, “I fight for my birthright and you say there is no use?”

“Please sire,” he pleaded, “I do not wish to harm you.”

“Nor I you so step aside and let me pass. I only wish to return to my Kingdom.”

“I cannot allow you to pass. I have my orders and they are to escort you back to Mardock as my prisoner.”

“Then we have no other option,” he said as he unsheathed his sword. He stopped short as he heard the beating of hooves behind him. “I see you are not alone.”

“No sire. I am not.”

Gabriel and the Royal Guard rode up behind King Andre and took him into custody.

“Half of you come with me,” Rowan ordered, “We will escort the King back to Mardock. Gabriel, you take the rest of the men and return to Calithorne. He did not escape alone. By order of the Queen you are to find the traitor and have him thrown in the dungeon to await her return.”

Gabriel bowed and took half of the men and rode off to Calithorne while Rowan and the Guard looked after the King and led him safely toward Mardock.

Ravenstone was the first to arrive at Mardock. She dismounted the silver steed just outside the gates and set it free, “Thank you my friend,” she whispered as the steed strode into the woods. She approached the gate to the city and was stopped by the guard.

“Lady Ravenstone,” the guard bowed his head, “Welcome to Mardock. If you would be so kind as to follow me I will take you to a waiting chamber the King has prepared for you.”

“Thank you,” she replied as she followed the young guard. He led her into the main castle and up to the second floor. They walked down a long hallway lined with doors.

As they approached the last door on the right the guard slowed. He opened the door to reveal a lavish room, “I hope the accommodations are to your liking. There is a fresh hot drawn bath and clean clothes laid out for you. You must be weary after your ride,” he motioned to a young woman standing in the corner of the room, “This is Trina. She will get you anything you need.”

“Thank you for your kind hand of friendship, Sir Lucas. Please pass along my gratitude to the King for his hospitality.”

“You know my name?”

“I know many things,” Ravenstone smiled.

Lucas bowed and closed the door as he headed back to the city gate.

Ravenstone undressed and slid her tired body into the inviting tub of steaming water. She allowed the heat to ease her aching muscles. As the water began to cool she stepped from the tub and Trina held a bath sheet to dry her. “I am fine sweet Trina,” Ravenstone said as she took the sheet, “Thank you. I am however not accustomed to the clothing laid out for me. Is it tradition here?”

“King Mason insisted on the finest clothing Mardock had to offer for our guests,” she replied, “If you are not pleased I can get something else.”

“This will be fine dear. I may need your assistance dressing though.” She held the long sleek black dress against her body and looked in the mirror with a smile.

Trina helped her dress and just as she finished there came a knock at the door, “Come.” Ravenstone called toward the door.

The door swung open, “The King requests your presence at his table for dinner,” a young squire announced.

“That would be very nice,” Ravenstone replied as she followed the young man into the hallway. “Thank you Trina. Your kindness is quite refreshing.”

Trina smiled and nodded her head.

The door to the dining hall swung open to reveal a table set with fine silver and more food than Ravenstone had ever seen in one place. At the head of the table the King stood and extended his hand toward her motioning her to come and sit beside him.

“Your Majesty,” Ravenstone bowed and walked toward the seat, “you have made me feel truly welcome in your great city.”

He watched her walk across the room. She looked stunning in the sleek black dress the staff had chosen for her. Her beauty radiated from within as she glided across the floor as if she walked on air. They young King’s eyes followed her as she walked, her dark skin and long silky black hair flowing to her waist captivated him. She stopped by the chair and he said, “You look lovely, like a wild flower in a field of grass,” he blushed and snapped himself from her charms, “Please forgive me. Please have a seat. You must be hungry.”

Ravenstone smiled, flattered by his attention, “Thank you your Majesty.”

“Please call me Mason.” They both sat and began to place food upon their plates. As they dined Mason turned to her and asked, “I have to ask your forgiveness dear lady. My father did not teach me about the Druid people when I was growing up so I hope nothing I have done has caused offense.”

“For the Druids it is not so much what you do but the heart with which you do it. I could see clearly that although I am not accustomed to such finery,” she motioned to her dress, “that your intentions were to show friendship. That is all that matters.”

“If you are not comfortable…”

“I am fine. It’s actually quite lovely.”

The door to the dining hall swung open and the guard motioned for the visitor to enter.

Mason stood, “Elara. Welcome.”

“Mason, Ravenstone. I have need of your help but first I have news.”

“Please come, sit.” Mason motioned to another seat at the table.

Elara sat and continued, “I am afraid that your father has escaped. He was on the road headed here. When I got word we were already on the way here. My guard had left Calithorne in pursuit so I sent Rowan back to be sure he didn’t elude them. I gave orders for him to be brought here.”

“Very well. I shall have my men prepare a place where he will be safe but unable to attempt to regain his throne. Guard.” The guard entered the room and he instructed him to prepare a room in the dungeon for his father and to double the guard at the gates. He then turned to Elara, “Please have something to eat and we will talk about what you need from us.”

Elara made a small plate of food and when they were done eating she began, “I know that you both are aware of the times we are living in. Luminescence is upon us and soon Calisto will come. I have,” she paused and looked at Ravenstone for approval. Ravenstone nodded so she continued, “Mason, there are things about me that you do not know. Please bear with me as I explain. Until recent events I thought I was but a simple Queen. I am not. I was born of dragon blood.”

“What?” Mason blurted out, “Dragon, like flying, fire breathing dragon?”

“Yes,” Ravenstone injected, “She is half human half dragon. For her the human side is dominant. That is why she was unaware of this until recently. Her sister on the other hand, her dragon half is dominant.”

“Sister? You are full of surprises. Wait, Sacha is your sister?”

“Yes. She is my sister.”

Mason was taken aback by this revelation, “This is a lot to take in. So is Arimore your father?”

“Yes he is.”

“I don’t know what to say and I’m not really certain why you are telling me this.”

“During Luminescence a dragon is pulled by the moons. One moon pulls out the good in them and the other pulls out the evil. When Calisto comes whichever feature is dominant in a dragons heart comes out with a vengeance. The problem is that the dragon has little control over their emotions and actions during that night. It is when Arimore went on his bloodlust destroying so much about a hundred years ago. It is my hope that Sacha and I have enough good in us and enough human in us to remain in control of our actions. Unfortunately we have no way of knowing how we will react. Up until now we have been able to control our powers and practice using them in constructive ways. I am afraid that this alone will not be enough. Now comes the part that you are unaware of Ravenstone. Two nights ago my mother came to me in a dream. This wasn’t the first time. The first time she led me to Sacha and gave me a pendant. The pendant was a scale from Arimore. She instructed me to pair it with a piece of the dragon egg that Sacha hatched from, which I did. When she came to me this time she told me that the only chance I had of controlling or defeating Arimore on Calisto was to add one of Sacha’s scales to the pendant. The key was that Sacha had to give it to me of her own free will. I approached her and told her of the pendant and the dream. She would not give me a scale because she loves Arimore and couldn’t bear to see him hurt. I need your help to figure out a way to defeat him without it.”

“I do not know,” Ravenstone began to pace, “if there is a way but if there is, we will find it.”

“If there is any doubt we must get our people to safety. I will not stand by and watch them burn like before.” Mason sighed, “How long do we have?”

“Not long,” Elara lowered her eyes, “Maybe two weeks.”

“Tell me about your powers child,” Ravenstone interrupted.

“I can’t really explain it but I can show you.” Elara stood by the window and held her hands out in front of her. She closed her eyes and a ball of energy began to form. It grew larger as she opened her eyes and let it lift from her hands. Ravenstone and Mason were amazed but Elara explained, “At first all I could do was destroy things but with practice I have learned to control it better. I have even used it to sharpen swords. And illuminate my chamber at night. But what good is this against the breath of fire?”

“We must find a way to convince Sacha to give you a scale.” Ravenstone replied.

“Or take one from her,” Mason added.

“No Mason. My mother told me in order to work the scale must be given of her own free will.”

“There must be something we can do.” Mason’s fear was becoming evident.

“Fear not Mason,” Ravenstone soothed, “The prophesy says that Elara will bring peace and unite the nations. We will find a way. Now if you two would excuse me I need to rest.”

Once Ravenstone retired to her chamber Mason approached Elara, “I need your advice on something.”

“Of course,” she replied.

“I know you have pressing things on your mind right now and this is not something that is urgent. I just, well, I am really taken with Ravenstone.” He blushed.

“Oh dear Mason, this is a good news,” she smiled and took him by the hand, “Ravenstone is beautiful and sweet. Does she feel the same for you?”

“I don’t know. We only just met but it seems as if we’ve known each other for centuries.”

“You need time to get to know each other Mason. Love is a whirlwind of emotions but when it is right you know it. If she feels the same way you are a lucky man. She is a good choice.”

“I know deep in my heart she is the right one. The moment I laid eyes on her I knew. I felt something stir deep inside of me. The more we talked the stronger it became.”

As they talked Rowan arrived and delivered the King to the guard. He made his way to the dining hall and paused outside as he heard them talking.

“Elara, I am in love and I want to shout it from the roof tops.”

“Oh Mason I don’t know what to say. I couldn’t be happier.”

“I think this union would have even pleased my father. This will help Mardock to grow and prosper. Please not a word of this for now. Plans must be made before anyone knows. Thank you so much Elara.”

Rowan’s heart sunk. Hearing only part of the conversation he assumed that Mason had asked for Elara’s hand. He almost walked away but decided to enter.

“Rowan,” Elara was glowing, “I’m so glad you made it. Is the King in custody?”

“Yes my Queen,” he replied formally, “He is being taken to the dungeons as we speak.”

“Come my friend,” Mason motioned for Rowan to join them, “you must be hungry after your journey. Eat, please.”

“Thank you but really I’m just tired.”

“What’s wrong?” Elara asked sensing something in his tone.

“Nothing,” he replied, “It’s just been a long day.”

“I agree,” Mason added, “I have had chambers prepared for each of you. Let us retire and we will meet in the morning and discuss our options.”

“Very good,” Elara agreed, “Until morning then.”