DESTRUCTIVE MYTH

A week ago, Blue had received word from his messenger that Dullsdrum had indeed something to hide, there was a lot of activity in their infirmary where the messenger was supposed to be taken due to breaking his foot. But denied entry, he wrote to Blue explaining the Dullsdrum’s infirmary was closed to all, due to an outbreak of some kind, but none could say what, yet only female dwarfs kept entering to attend to the patient, the servant had tried to see who the so-called infected was but the ward was heavily guarded.

Dullsdrum had responded to the king’s letter also, informing them that a few dead, only human soldiers and an odd horse had been caught in their nets, but none magical, and definitely no elves. They also demanded that an escort come and collect their clumsy, nosey, injured messenger at once. Blue had shared a look with the king, they did indeed have something to hide.

“They seem to be in an awful hurry to rid themselves of your servant.” The king said reading the letter one last time.

“I would like to go collect the messenger myself, your majesty.” He knew just the spell needed to detect who was in the infirmary.

“No Blue, sending one of my warlocks to fetch a simple servant will look suspicious indeed.” The king said.

“You believe then that an elf was caught?” The queen asked.

“Definitely, all the signs are there, it has to be the female.”

“Why not the elf’s brother?”

“From what I pulled from Drathis’s mind, Galaleiath is not one to be captured or held prisoner, and if it was him, the Dwarfs would have killed him, a dark elf like that has a bad aura around them, he is not someone anyone can reason with, and sure as hell wouldn’t allow the dwarfs near him.”

“And your seeking spell in the mountain pass picked up nothing else living, are you absolutely sure?” The king questioned again.

“Yes, your majesty, whatever happened to Galaleiath is a bit of a mystery, but it’s very likely, now more than ever that he was crushed by the titan.”

“So then, this will be joyous news for the Elves. I’m sure they are eager to crown Drathis as their king.” The king smiled.

“What of the female elf, how are we to get her back? She was his mate after all, technically now his queen.” The queen asked.

“Leave it to me my sweet.” The king said looking at his queen affectionately, “Go now blue, tell Ikeshia only that Dullsdrum has caught none living in their nets.”

“What of the female?” Blue asked eager to tell Drathis that there was finally some hope, keeping this secret from him had been eating him up inside.

“This is still a private matter that I will attend to. We can still not confirm who they hold.” He looked at him firmly.

* * *

“Close your mouth, you look like a fly trap.” Blue mocked finding Drathis in his room leaning against the windowsill the next morning. Drathis shut his mouth giving Blue an unamused look.

“Still can’t grasp the size of Talgrim, how can something so vast be hidden so well?”

“It’s all thanks to the Titan mountains that incircle us, their magic keeps us hidden.” Blue explained.

“I couldn’t even see all the levels of civilization from the gate when we first entered.”

“Magic is a powerful thing; come we need to get going.” Blue said heading to the door.

“I’m not ready for this, day.” Drathis looked at him sighing. “I do not believe Galaleiath is dead, despite the reports, something else must have intervened, his death is too convenient.” Drathis frowned at his words trying to correct himself. “What I mean is,”

“I know what you mean, there is no need to explain. You may have your doubts but your people need their leader.”

“Again, why?” Drathis asked shaking his head. “They have managed more than two decades without one.”

“I know you don’t want to be king, but you are needed, and you need them just as much now.” Blue said gently looking at his friend. yesterday he had been so excited to tell the elves of the news, expecting Drathis to be happy, he was finally free from one evil ghost in his past. But Blue had watched his face fall as the small group around him and Ikeshia rejoiced.

“Talgrim is powerful but I feel it in my bones that Dimas has not given up, my brother maybe gone, and your walls maybe strong but,”

“Exactly why you need your kind behind you.” Blue cut him off placing a hand on his shoulder, “This queen won’t stand a chance against us all. As it is there are extra patrols keeping an eye out for her arrival or any signs of an army coming our way, we are ready for an attack. And with you as a crowned king for your kind, your chances are even greater together.”

“Yes, so you have all said.” Drathis grumbled dreading the crowning ceremony. He wasn’t ready for the responsibilities that came with it. He had been so consumed with just finding his home that the thought of what happened next hadn’t crossed his mind.

“Your crowning ceremony is only at sunset, until then join us on the patrol today, getting out of the city might help clear your thoughts, perhaps seeing that nothing is out there will help unwind you. I asked to swap with a few guards, thought you might need it.” Blue offered. Drathis looked back out the window towards the main gate to Talgrim and beyond that to the titan mountain range, they were a constant reminder of his shattered heart. Sinira’s face had haunted his dreams every night since, an entire month here had done nothing, to heal losing her. Whoever said time healed all had never lost those close enough to them, time didn’t heal, it just allowed you to accept that certain parts of you would never be complete again.

“Relax will you, we understand the dangers we face holding you.” Blue said pulling Drathis from his thoughts as he grabbed a fruit off a table nearby biting into it.

“Holding me? Am I a dog now?” Drathis mocked raising a brow.

“If you were I’d have a leash and you would actually follow.” Blue mimicked kissing noises, patting his leg “Come boy.” He laughed exiting the room. In the yard, Drathis found Galaxy saddled and Blue’s horse standing a distance apart, with Bronson and Brody on theirs ready to ride.

“Oh, I almost forgot, we finally managed to find out what your horse is.” Blue said walking past Galaxy to his, giving it his half-eaten apple. “Well, Brody did.”

“I had to! Such a magnificent beast makes our thoroughbreds look like ponies! I just had to find out.” Brody replied pointing to Galaxy, “Galaxy can run circles around us blindfolded, she must be the fastest living animal ever.”

“Never, have you ever seen a hummingbird? Their wings are almost an invisible blur.” Bronson chipped in.

“We talking about land animals, in the air, a dragon would out fly a hummingbird any day.” Brody objected.

“I think we going off course.” Blue called leading them out the yard down through the city main gates.

“What do you know about Galaxy?” Drathis asked patting her ice-cold neck, he had become accustomed to her constant low temperatures never really concerned with what she was, just happy to have her.

“She is a Faervian.” Brody said, “That’s why horses fear her.”

“A what?” Drathis asked confused.

“A Faervian, basically means battle born, it’s when a horse is killed before its prime and its owner refuses to buy another, they then can bring it back with a forbidden spell. It’s a rare spell that requires great power, but it basically provides you with this.” Brody pointed to Galaxy. “A horse with amazing super speed, loyalty to whom it chooses and, the spell actually shapes the horse to be an alpha breed, outstanding, dominating, I mean look at her legs? Have you ever seen such thick legs? And apart from that, her hair is longer than normal as she never ages, the mane just keeps growing, needs constant trimming.”

“I wouldn’t though, the braids you can make in that mane are insanely cool.” Bronson said

“How do you know this?” Drathis asked Brody.

“Its amazing what a sample of hair can get you these days.” Brody smiled. “Don’t worry, Galaxy didn’t mind me stealing a few strands. Basically, she is an undead horse that doesn’t get tired, never ages, that’s why her touch is always ice cold, there is no blood running through her, just magic. A perfect horse for anyone.” Brody said admiring Galaxy for the hundredth time.

“But a bloody rare breed.” Bronson added “And, the spell used to create them is extremely expensive. How did you manage to get one?” Bronson asked as they left the safety of Talgrim walls.

“I didn’t, I stole her escaping from the Black Maser.” Drathis recalled. “She was the only one in the stables.”

“I should search the king’s stables.” Brody winked at Bronson.

“Don’t even think about it.” Blue warned as they carried along with their patrol. “So Brody, is that why the other horses fear her? As she is undead or whatever?” Blue asked curious to learn more

“Of course, a horse is a skittish thing, there is no way they would want to be anywhere near it, though I highly doubt Galaxy eats horses for dinner, even though, some legends seem to believe so.”

“No, she usually prefers oats.” Drathis chuckled catching Brody’s eye. “But I can’t promise your pony will be safe for much longer.”

“Stop you will scare him.” Bronson chuckled, “He already thinks Leah wants him for supper, now his horse is on a plate too.”

“I do not!” Brody objected.

“Then why can’t you talk to the girl? You speak about her non-stop and how you going to court her, but, the moment, you near her...” Bronson laughed unable to finish his sentence.

“She won’t bite.” Drathis chuckled watching Brody’s ears turn a bright red.

“I know that.” Brody objected.

“Perhaps we can put in a good word for you with her.” Blue smiled.

“Yeah, ask Drathis to tell Leah to change Brody from being her supper to dessert.” Bronson laughed “If not, I’ll be that woman’s dessert.” Bronson winked at his brother, he loved teasing him.

“No one is eating anyone.” Brody blushed as Drathis and Blue laughed.

“A pity, she looks to be the perfect peach!” Bronson snickered kicking his horse into a sprint overtaking his brother. Brody nudged his horse forward to catch him.

“Every day there is something new with those two,” Blue laughed wiping his tears looking at Drathis, “Go, stretch Galaxies legs out.”

Drathis nodded, rubbing Galaxies chilled neck whispering into her ear, “Let’s show them what you got.” She snorted bobbing her head up and down before launching forward. The brothers kicked their horses into action trying to keep up with them galloping at full speed, soaring across the snow with Drathis as he gained more ground. Blue let them carry on, watching as they swerved through the snow chasing each other in a game of tag. He smiled, it was just what they all needed.

Till all three men jerked their horses to a standstill, looking towards the passage between the mountains.

Blue turned to see shadows moving forward, no bigger than ants in the distance marching out from the shadow of the mountains. His eyes enlarged at the masses pouring out, then looked back to Talgrim, they were exactly halfway between both.

“Blue!” He heard the call from Bronson in the distance. “Signal!” his faint voice called again. Blue looked from the men racing back to him to the masses marching out, trying to snap out of his shock. “Signal now!” He heard Drathis roar as they neared him. Holding his staff up into the air, Blue released a few signals shooting it high up into the sky.

Drathis raced back to Blue’s side watching the bright red orbs shoot and pop high above them, within moments deep deafening horns were sounded, and Drathis along with the brothers followed Blue back to the main gates as fast as they could. The war horns sounded again as the gates opened to let them back in. Again, he felt his mind touched by oracles in the towers above, he looked from the towers to back behind him at the masses filling out in the open, two miles or so away, it was the last thing he saw as the gates clicked shut, several thick locks sliding into place, he knew those dark flags.

“Drathis!” Blue called frantically. Drathis turned to see the three, way up ahead stopping to call him. “I have to get back to the king now.”

He nodded, and followed the brothers up to on top of the wall, to one of the million lookout points, leaving Galaxy and the other horses by the steps. Drathis stood beside Bronson and Brody. The deep horns sounded again and Drathis pulled away from the armies approaching to observe the wall lined with thousands of onlookers.

“What have I done.” He whispered in disbelief watching the flags held high displaying the Black Maser and Zitex insignias.

“We expected this.” Bronson said looking from Drathis to his brother.

“We are ready D.” Brody confirmed, “But we need to get you somewhere safe.” Brody grabbed Drathis’s arm to pull him away.

“No.” Drathis shook him off, “This is my war. I brought them here, I will not hide.”

A boom echoed towards them as screams followed from the valley, they looked out to see smoke rising from their right, but the wall seemed to have taken no damage. Soldiers started removing onlookers framing the tops, as Drathis reluctantly turned away with the brothers and horse, back down towards the castle.

“Dracanaeth!” Ikeshia called as the men entered the great hall rushing towards him. “I am so pleased to see you unharmed.” She said touching his cheek affectionately. Drathis looked about the room filling to the brim with families, nobles and servants. “Where is the king? And Blue?” Drathis asked scanning the room again.

“Follow me.” Bronson said.

“I must go.” Drathis pulled her hand away gently.

“Be safe.” Ikeshia touched her forehead with a prayer for him as they maneuvered through the crowds pouring into the castle for safety.

“What’s going on?” He asked as they exited the back arriving at the stables and training grounds. About five hundred men were climbing into armor, dwarfs, and a few elves including Erin, Ikeshia’s brother. He couldn’t believe his eyes. They had all talked about Dimas’s arrival many times, yet he had somehow envisioned him facing her alone, exiting the main gates to talk to her, perhaps with a bunch of guards lined with arrows atop the wall, but not this.

“Care to join? I’m off to meet this Dimas, see what all the fuss is about.” The king smiled at Drathis as he strapped on his helmet stepping forward.

“I cannot allow you to go out there, she will slice through you before words are exchanged.” Drathis said trying to stop him. “I need to do this.”

“Then come with me, I’m sure she will have words for us both.” The king said holding out a hand. The men around them suddenly stopped what they were doing, looking at the two, waiting for a response. Another blast hit the walls shaking the ground slightly.

“I don’t think they want to talk.” Drathis smirked pointing behind him, he couldn’t help it the moment was too intense. “But, together then.” He reached out accepting the king’s hand shaking it, a cheer erupted from the men as they resumed dressing.

“Then we will make them listen.” The king nodded clicking his fingers calling Blue forward.

“You will be needing this.” Blue popped up alongside Drathis handing him amour. He took it looking down in shock, his hair rising on his arms as he studied the silver and green shining armour, his father’s emblem engraved proudly on the front.

“Can’t have our future king in anything less.” Erin said appearing alongside him. “We knew you would be too stubborn to sit this out, no one from house Eldamar will stand on the sidelines and let their people get hurt, it’s just in your blood.” Erin said taking the amour helping him strap it on. “As much as your words say you are not ready to be our king, your actions now say differently.” Erin thumped his breastplate proudly, “Together.” Erin called, and the words echoed through the men behind them.

* * * * *

“We need to stop.” Galaleiath growled at queen Dimas watching the catapults launching boulders at the walls.

“I needed to test their walls; I have heard so much about their strength.” Dimas said watching another hit the wall leaving no damage. “They are impressive.”

“I think you have tested them enough; they will not meet with us if you keep throwing shit at them.” Galaleiath growled again frustrated at her disregarding his plans.

“Halt.” She called out and her commanders enforced it through the lines. “What happened to you, intimidating the enemy used to be your favorite part.” She sneered at him becoming annoyed.

“There is no time to tease them, with Velda’s warning we need to hurry, or have you forgotten how quickly ruined my plans were the last time I was here.”

“Galaleiath,” She warned at his disrespectful tone. “Velda is not the only one that can ruin your plans. You forget that more then half this army is mine.”

“Send the messenger to the gate.” Galaleiath called out to a commander ignoring her.

“If they do not respond within the hour, I will be taking that gate down.” Dimas said turning her chariot away whipping the horses heading to the back of the line.

“That is not what we planned.” Galaleiath turned his horse catching up to her.

“Plans change.”

“No.” He objected pushing its horse forward, cutting her chariot off.

“Galaleiath,” Dimas warned again. “You are so very close to suffering the same fate as Drathis. I can have you escorted back to his dungeon in a heartbeat. perhaps you will then be reminded of who I am.” Her eyes shimmered red with rage as she shouted at him.

“Is that what you did to Drathis?” Galaleiath ran cold asking the question. His brother’s words creeping forth in his mind. Perhaps it was bravery or a fool’s courage that made him carry on questioning the powerful being in front of him. “Did you have him locked up in the dungeons beneath us?” He demanded not breaking eye contact.

Dimas raised her chin remaining still, she hadn’t meant for that to slip. She looked down at him as a deadly smile played at her lips, waiting for him to carry on.

“Were his words true? Did you separate us and hold him all these years?” Galaleiath demanded feeling torn, what had possessed him to now ask these questions right before his brother’s slaughter. What difference would it make now if it was true or false, their bond as brothers was beyond repair. Galalieath had seen to that the day he killed Sinira. He frowned at the thought, he didn’t want it repaired, his brother had to die.

His frown deepened at the unease creeping up inside him, where had all these questions come from, was this the cause of his unease of late?

“Yes, so what if I did?” Dimas said showing her teeth in a wicked smile.

Or perhaps now, Galalieath growled to himself, targets needed to change.

* * * * *

Drathis galloped past the silent rows of warriors as they watched him take his position alongside the king.

A messenger had arrived at the gate with a letter of demand written in his arrogant brother’s hand with one line on it.

Hand over the elf you hold, or he will be taken by force.

The skies above cracked with thunder as he tightened his fists around Galaxy’s rains, sending a green pulse of power through his body. He looked from the king to Blue behind him lined up with fifty more warlocks.

Erin along with a couple of other elves nodded in respect to him as he looked down the lines.

This was it. Drathis took a deep breath as he began to march forward looking up at the darkened day. No doubt the storm was Dimas’s doing, doom and gloom were her specialties.

Just above the city walls, they could see the smoke from the fires, shadows cast up into them of the demons that waited. it was a slow march at first as they avoided the many still packing up shop, barricading their homes, many more still filing into the castle. Drathis looked back up as he passed the castle, every window was filled with morbid eyes.

Galaxy snorted pulling to the side, the king mimicking them as another family darted across the street, he looked ahead to see how much more they would need to weave through till he spotted her.

There, no more than a few houses down, caught in the wind was her silver hair, brilliant violet eyes, fearful as she ran with a few others towards the castle.

“Sinira.” He whispered in disbelief watching her race to the entrance. She turned to grab someone and caught his eyes, his heart stopped, everything around them drowned out as they looked at each other.

A boom sounded denting in the main gates ahead of them, the king marched forward passing in his field of vision. He pulled Galaxy back as the warriors marched past, searching through them frantically to catch sight of her again, his heart thudding rapidly.

“D,” Blue called concerned looking from him back to the castle, “What is it?”

Drathis was about to answer, no he was about to abandon his position and chase after her. When another hit was sent to the gate, splitting it slightly open, bringing to light a spelled bound boulder that exploded, sending bits of illuminated shrapnel flying towards them.

“Lookout!” Called the king and Drathis dodging the shards, they watched the formation behind them break for cover, but not fast enough as the explosive spell sent shards through the rows. Drathis watched as ten men and a few horses fell to the ground leaving several others slightly wounded.

Rage fuelled him as he kicked galaxy into a canter, the rest followed, this time he didn’t contain it, for the first time since the pits, he didn’t want to stop the power threatening to explode from within him, Dimas would fall, she would pay for all she had done. With a crack from the heavens Drathis shouted his loudest war cry as the first few drops of rain hit them, his eyes burst into a fearful emerald light as another charge of electric power caused through him leaving a light hue of green-colored fire licking at his fists.

Meters before the gates, twenty soldiers pulled the mangled metal open best they could.

A cold wind of hunger, anger, hate, and impatience rushed past them like a thousand howling souls.

They charged nonetheless with all they had, roaring at the top of their lungs directly out of the nation’s safe walls, into the mass of enemy boiling over with eagerness. For a few moments, the world seemed to freeze as Galaxy leaped high into the air over the infested opening. Slamming into the enemy who had been waiting for them behind the unbreakable walls, driven insane for the spill of blood, watching with impatient eyes, claws, fangs, horns, and all types of weapons.

Chanting, malevolence, ready, fevered like a group of vultures over a single dying creature, waiting, watching, wanting...