Raulin's Oath

Lucius sat at the head of the table in his chambers, which were now serving as the war room. The festival had come to an end, the crown officially placed upon his head. It was time to bring open war to all of the lands of Palidonaya.

He had called all of his generals in for this meeting, entrusting the Shadow Walkers to hold the lands that have been conquered. Each of the dragons had taken their human forms for this meeting so that they could have a seat at the table. “Let us begin,” Lucius said in a quiet, yet commanding tone. “Scarlett, what is the status of Equus?”

“Yes, my Lord, I have taken and held the region of the Zeus herd. I was not able to turn any of the herd into Shadow Walkers, so I have been destroying any who cross my path. Their numbers are decimated, but the remainder have been eluding me. They use the Silent Forest as cover, though I am confident that the dwellers of the forest have been further culling their numbers. I would estimate less than a hundred remain.”

Lucius stood from his chair and folded his hands behind his back, making his way to Scarlett’s seat. With cold precision, he drew back his hand, striking her across the face. It left an angry welt, his claws lengthening with that cold rage before meeting her face.

“You forget that several hundred managed to escape your initial attack! This herd had the first contact with the Chosen. Should that be not enough to condemn them, they led the charge against my father’s army and won. They must be destroyed.” Lucius had once again let his anger get the better of him.

“It will be done, my Lord.” Scarlett’s eyes never strayed from the king as she calmly responded. Any other response may have ended in her death, so she chose her words carefully. “I will need a small group of hunters to speed the process up, my Lord.”

“The hunters just returned from the Great Beyond, their queen slain by the Chosen. I will have to raise a new queen before they can be sent out, and I have plans for the remaining pack. Have you been able to make arrangements with the forest dwellers?”

“The dead serve no one.” Scarlett’s blood began to heat.

“The dead will serve the rightful King of Palidonaya!” Lucius bellowed as he slammed his fist to the table.

“I will continue my palaver with the oldest, the one with the strongest claim to the land, my Lord.” Scarlett knew that there would be no negotiating for reinforcements.

Lucius strode back to his place at the head of the table. “Fynnossa, what news do you have of the Artemis region of Equus?”

“My Lord, their numbers are few. I have been removing all food sources from the region with my flame. Those that remain have fled to join the Apollo. The region known as Artemis is now fully under your control.”

“Excellent! Frorsa, what is the report from Aphrodite?” Lucius could feel how close he was to controlling the entire continent. Once this was accomplished, then he could attack Fændell.

“My Lord, all living beings that once dwelt in Aphrodite have fled to the south. I am all that remains in that region.”

This put a smile on Lucius’s face as he moved the dragon pieces into place on the map that was etched into the great table. The lands of the Apollo were almost entirely cut off from all allies. “The time to strike Apollo is upon us! Scarlett, you will enter Apollo from the north, while Fynnossa and Frorsa will enter from the west. Deiphonei, you will attack from the east. The herds of Equus will be no more!”

“Hestia, you will continue to hold Belamoris. Armess, I am sending you north to Mirnalduhr to the dwarven capital of Derge. There you will proclaim that land in my name.”

“My Lord, with all respect, the dwarves of Mirnalduhr have never joined in the fight against us. Why would we provoke them to fight us now?” Armess was not pleased with the prospect of attacking the dwarves in their tunnels deep in the mountains.

“They supplied our enemies with the tools for our destruction.” He didn’t care that they’d also provided Draconis weapons. “They created the Sword of Atonement as well as the Daggers of Derge, which were quite effective against our armies during the Great War. I will not make the same mistakes that my father made! I will send a pride of hunters with you to aid you in the mines of Mirnalduhr.”

“The Era of the Dragon is upon us. As we speak, Shadow Walkers are among the people of Casparnia and Lenovia, slowly draining the fighting spirit of the Council. After we have secured the east and the north, then we will suffocate the remaining stronghold.” With that said, the meeting was adjourned, and the room cleared of all but Serafina, Clarette, and Lucius.

“My lord, what tasks will you assign me?” Serafina asked quietly.

“Your task is the most important. You will guard the future of our kingdom. We have rained fire upon this continent with eight dragons. When the eggs hatch, we will take all of Palidonaya. Now, leave me, as I must plan the final push to Lenovia. That is the final piece to our conquest of this continent. Next we shall move on to the bigger picture: world domination.”

The High Priestess and Serafina left the War Room as Lucius sat down at the table. He was very close to reaching his first goal. There was but one obstacle that remained in his path: the Chosen. He would have to deal with them before he could claim what was rightfully his to rule.

***

When the Chosen arrived at the castle, they were immediately granted access, and given the finest rooms and food. Three maids had been assigned to each of the travelers. In the dining hall, the leaders conferred.

Neoma leaned over the table, scanning the letter. Arietta’s penmanship was quite beautiful, that she had to admit, and the lead mare hoped desperately that graceful lettering and kind words would sway the Queen of Ice to their side. Timara rested a gentle, glowing hand on Neoma’s neck.

“Neoma.” Her voice rang through the quiet room, and the mare lifted her eyes to the blazing stare of Timara. “Are you sure you should be here?” Neoma snorted, flicking her braided aqua tail.

“What are you implying, Timara?” The mare’s voice was sharp, as if to warn the woman to tread lightly.

“You can leave if you’d like. We all know where the king is focusing the next attack: on your herd. You can lead your people to safety… We can manage this situation.” Javaron knew what it was like to have loved ones in danger.

“I do not need your pity. It matters not if I fight here or in Equus. My sister is quite capable of leading the remaining herd to safety!”

“I mean no offense. I am well aware of the duplicity that you are feeling. Loved ones in danger on one end of the continent and responsibilities on the other. We are simply saying that it would be okay if you went to tend your herd.“

“Enough of this talk! I will not shirk my duties with the Council. As I said, my sister is quite capable of getting the survivors to safety. Now, I will not continue discussing this.”

“Look, Neoma knows exactly what she risks staying here,” he said evenly, slowing down his words. “We need to be discussing a plan of action, not sending away valuable members of the Council!”

“Queen Timara, I’m afraid Lord Javaron is correct. I do know exactly what I am doing here. I acknowledge that many I care about could be wiped from Palidonaya within the next few weeks, but I also know that oftentimes innocent blood is the price of war. Our hope of victory resides here in Dragon’s Bane, and if my staying here will further the cause, then I shall stay. A true leader puts the lives of the many over the lives of the few.” The crescent moon glowed a soft blue on her forehead, and moonlight seemed to be dusted over her soft words. All in the Council exchanged grave looks before continuing to draft the letter.

***

“Princess,” the noble breathed in sharply, “Queen Kaelin, my apologies.”

Her eyes glowed darkly at this, the gaping wound that was her heart being prodded at.

“What do you want, Sir Devon? I have had enough of your incessant chatter. Start speaking with meaning or be gone.” A hand clutched at her chest, and she forced herself to breathe. An image of her family burning and being slaughtered on foreign grounds flashed in her mind. The connection in their blood had forced her third eye open, made her watch the flames melt their snow-kissed skin.

“You… you forgot the Contribution. It was due a few moons ago.” His voice shook, and some emotionless part of her produced a feral grin at the scent of his fear. She pulled heat from the air, eliciting a shiver from Sir Devon as he awaited her reply.

“Right. I will make the formal call for the Contribution, give the country a few days’ notice.”

“Very well, very well.” He took a bold step toward her, and she raised a hand, producing an icicle. It danced through the air, light refracting as it hit the ice. He took a step back out of respect, and she snapped, causing the icicle to shatter. “I was curious,” he stammered. “When will you begin the courting process?” She laughed harshly, the sound echoing through the crystalline chambers.

“I will do no such thing. You, and all the other power-lusting nobles, will give me my time to grieve. You will respect the fallen souls of my--the king and queen, and the two princesses before me.”

These imbeciles had no idea what it was like to lose a family. Third in line, destined to elegant libraries, luxurious food and parties, and nothing more. She would’ve been thrown the scraps, what was left over of the power, being third born, and with that she was happy. Thrust into power, a position she had not bothered to learn with enthusiasm, and thrust into grief, she claimed the crown. An ice throne built on the bones and blood of her family, her tears, and the fire that had pierced the western skies.

“My Queen,” he purred, “I mean no disrespect, but you have been sitting on the throne for a century now. It is time that we name our future king. Should you need someone to talk to, someone to advise you, know that I am always near.” She narrowed her eyes at him. He was a leech, a blood-sucking leech that would suck her resources and time if she allowed him.

“I’m sure you will be.” She did not hide the disdain that dripped from her voice, and he took the cruel tone as his cue to leave.