The Seven Seals: Dragon Crusade

“Needs time,” Kirith mimicked in an annoyed tone and fell back into a cushioned chair in the small room that was open to the lower levels of the outside. “We don’t have time! What do people think we are? Super humans?”

“We are,” Kate replied.

Kirith ignored her. “Orin is probably preparing for his greatest assault and we’re sitting back and waiting for some elf to make up her mind about going! Imagine if we were too late!”

“She has her reasons, right?” Kate said. “Rossiel wants to protect her kingdom, and leaving that behind would be difficult.”

Kirith leaned forward and looked to around at them. “They have multiple legions here, legions of skilled elves!”

“Yes, but what if it’s something more than that?” Travis asked.

“Travis is right,” Laela added. “It couldn’t have just been wanting to protect the forest. Maybe we’re not seeing it for the full picture.”

Kirith relaxed and leaned back. “Okay, so maybe we aren’t, but that still isn’t an excuse for having us wait.”

“It’s not like the world is going to end tomorrow, Kirith,” Kate assured. “I’m sure she’ll come to soon.”

“If only…we could convince her somehow,” Travis said, his voice quieting.

“Yeah,” Laela mumbled.

Everyone was slightly at a loss with Rossiel’s disagreement to join. They could only look to each other nervously, whisper and hope that Rossiel would come out of her mourning state. Though, Kirith on the other hand was impatient with this idea and said that they ought to confront her. The others had strongly disapproved of it, but they knew it had to happen at some point.

The next morning, the air was cool, and the forest was wet with dew. The atmosphere was filled with the songs of birds, but also the uncertainty of the group. Rossiel hadn’t been seen since their encounter with her in the General’s home. Travis walked through the village, nearing its outer skirts as he walked across a bridge that went over a river. He was pretty sure that he walked too far, but what did it matter? The elven surroundings never got old, and there was always something new to bask in. Travis sighed deeply. If only his home were like this…but then he would never leave to join the Seals if that were true.

THONK! Travis stopped dead in his tracks. He looked over towards the smaller trees, searching for the sound. The sound came again, but as abruptly. Travis’ eyes stopped on some trees that surrounding a small spring waterfall with targets hanging from them. An arrow was imbedded dead in the middle. Letting his gaze trace down, he spotted Rossiel, standing with her bow in hand. Travis’ eyes widened as he gulped. He didn’t at all expect to find her, not at all. Should I approach her? Maybe try to talk to her? Travis let out a quiet sigh. Gaining the courage to talk to her was like walking right into a wolf’s den. Now you’re making this sound like it’s the most difficult thing yet! Come on, Travis, you’ve been through far worse. Just play it cool.

Travis began to walk towards Rossiel, but she didn’t seem to notice. “Nice shot,” he said.

Rossiel whipped around, her eyes wide with suddenness. It was that same look she had when they had first seen each other, the skittish wild look. She stared at him for several seconds before looking away. Rossiel pulled out another arrow and aimed.

Travis furrowed his brow. Was she ignoring him? It seemed that way. Travis began to walk closer, watching her aim. “It’s quite a nice bow you have there,” he complimented. “Is it the instrument of your Seal?”

Rossiel released the arrow, sending it flying into another target, which split it right in half. She didn’t answer, but only avoided his gaze.

Travis scratched the back of his head. “You wield it well, that’s probably ’cause you’ve got so much training,” he chuckled. “Seeing marksmanship like that is amazing in the eyes of someone who came from such a small farm like me, hah. I mean— it’s amazing in the eyes of anyone who sees it.”

Rossiel again didn’t reply. She waded through the spring and then climbed up onto a tree. Reaching the target hanging from a branch, she yanked out the arrow. Rossiel began doing this for the rest before jumping back down.

Travis turned a bit red as he grew flustered. Was she really just going to ignore him? He stepped closer to her, now really wanting her attention. “Look, I’m—”

“What?” Rossiel said, turning around to face him. “What could you possibly say to convince me?”

Travis looked down at her almost surprised. “I—…” he stuttered. “Rossiel, you have to join us—”

Rossiel slapped him hard across the face. Travis felt as if he was going to fall back, but he stood his ground. He looked back to Rossiel as his jaw dropped and rubbed his numb cheek. “What—”

“How dare you come all this way to even try! You’re pathetic,” Rossiel said coldly. “I’m not leaving my kin.”

Travis winced as the pain from the slap continued to sting like venom. “What is so important that you need to stay and protect them?! They’re skilled like you, right? They may not posses your powers of the Seal, but they can still fight very well!”

Rossiel paused for a moment. “My reasons are my own.”

Travis gritted his teeth, almost raising his voice. “Then whatever that may be, you must understand that we need you more than you think!”

“No, you don’t,” she replied. “Keep telling yourself that, human, and you’ll be here forever.” Rossiel spun around and walked back to the spring. “Now get your friends and leave!”

Travis let his hand fall at his side as he watched her climb up the rocks and disappear into the forest. This was impossible. It was like she was unable to be convinced whatsoever. Travis slammed his fist into a tree, making a dent in the trunk. Now he could understand where Kirith was coming from. It was frustration at its best. And she called me human! he thought. Travis, relax, you just need patience. Travis looked back towards the forest and sighed. That elf was full of mystery and secrets. He would learn her secrets and understand her. “HEY! I’M GONNA CONVINCE YOU SOMEHOW!!!” Travis yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth. “I’LL GET YOU TO TURN!”

Yeah, that was what he was going to do. My reasons are my own. Her words rang through his head. It couldn’t just be the forest. Her father must’ve known something.

Rossiel was hiding behind a tree, listening for Travis. She scowled and tightened her grip on her bow. “Imbecile,” she muttered. “Do your worst. It’ll all be for nothing.” And without a second thought, Rossiel darted into the forest, escaping into the recesses and drawing her arrow back farther than she usually had.

“Lord Thannor!” Travis yelled, knocking on the door. “It’s the Seals. We would like to speak with you privately!”

Behind him, Kate, Kirith and Laela stood idly by, waiting for a response. This had been Travis’ idea to confront Rossiel’s father about what her reason was for not leaving. It was a cheap strategy, but what other choice did they have?

There was silence for a moment before they could hear faint footsteps. The door slid open to reveal Thannor standing in the doorway. He surveyed them with his deep turquoise eyes. Thannor relaxed his shoulders and stepped aside. “Come in,” he said quietly.

Everyone entered and was eventually seated around a low table on the floor. A young maidservant came in with cups of tea for all of them, serving genuinely. It wasn’t until Thannor sat down as well when things began to pick up.

“We wanted to ask you about why your daughter…continues to refuse our callings,” Travis said. “We know that she feels a deep attachment to this forest, but…there just has to be something more.”

Thannor sipped his small white cup of tea. He lowered it from his lips and exhaled, causing the steam from the tea to crisscross. Thannor massaged his forehead as if he were in great pain. “I had a feeling you would ask that,” he muttered. Thannor lowered his cup and stared at the floor. “There is another reason why she refuses. Rossiel only feels indebted to the forest because of what happened many years ago when she was a child.”

Everyone stared at Thannor intently but anxiously. At the sound of the word “child,” they knew something wasn’t right.

“Her mother was the previous one to wield the Seal of Kane, the Hawk. At the time, there were many goblin attacks on some of the outer villages, acts of terrorism. While many of our soldiers were raiding a goblin encampment, a group of goblins snuck into Ami Asari. Rossiel’s mother was really the only one to defend it, and so she did just that. But her efforts weren’t enough, and she was killed in battle as a result.

“Rossiel found her just in time before she passed. She took her mother’s Seal and defeated the rest of the goblins with the help of elven reinforcements. Even though she managed to save her people, she couldn’t do the same for her mother.

“Her mother had the very same connection to the Wood and did everything she could to preserve its life. Rossiel…reflects much of that now…”

Laela was on the verge of tears now, staring at Thannor with shock and instability. She was struggling to retain her composure, but it just wasn’t fitting it. “Rossiel…” she could only say.

Travis bit his lip and winced, letting Thannor’s last words set in like a sizzling medicine. Now he regretted knowing more. That once mysterious elf was really a tragic epic in flesh. Such despair Rossiel must have, and to think he blatantly walked right up to her and said to her face that he would understand her better. “But, what does this have to do with her staying?” Travis asked.

“It has everything to do with her staying,” Thannor replied, somehow keeping a straight but strong face all the while. “The attack that Rossiel’s mother had went through was brutal, indeed. Rossiel fears that if she were to leave, another attack like that would happen again…and she wouldn’t be there to help defend.” Thannor lowered his head. “But with the death of her dear friend, Callon, as I’m sure you know him well, she has become tied between the two decisions. Many don’t believe the goblins will actually return to fight once more, but Rossiel thinks otherwise.”

“She’s gone through so much…” Kate murmured.

Travis gripped his knees tightly as he felt his stomach flip. What if Rossiel found out they came all this way to learn about this? Would she really join them then?

“Lord Thannor, I’m so sorry for intruding this matter—” Travis stood up from his spot. “But I think it would be best if we got going. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Thannor blinked in surprise. “If you insist…”

The Seals exited the home quietly, not saying a word of goodbye.

Travis was almost shaking. He was glad he had gotten them out of there. How was he going to look at Rossiel the same? He barely knew her, but at the same time he knew more than he bargained for.

“That poor girl…” Laela said, wiping tears from her eyes. “She didn’t deserve any of that.”

Travis patted her head. “I know…”

Kate looked back at Kirith. “You haven’t said much.”

Kirith looked up, his expression completely blank. “I understand where Rossiel is coming from… It isn’t easy to loose someone you love, and to be told to move on from it.”

“Sounds like to me that you pity her,” Travis said.

Kirith didn’t reply.

Later that day, as the sun descended below the horizon, all the royals, along with the Seals were called to dine. Everyone sat at a long table in a garden that sat several ways away from the Great Tree. Plants small and large filled the gardens with a vibrant spring scent, gently swaying in the breeze. Flowers of all kinds were there too, many that couldn’t be named and some even glowing. A small brook passed through the garden and out to the nearby river. Lanterns hung from the smaller tree in the garden overhead, giving a soft blue luminescent light. The white wood table was set up with a deep violet cloth that had gold trimmings. Fruits, vegetables, and breads sat on the table.

Many of the higher up elves were there. Even at the very end sitting next to her father was Rossiel, keeping her head low. The atmosphere felt unnerving, but the elves didn’t seem to mind.

Kate munched on a slice of an apple savoring the sweetness that it held. Never had earth produced such amazing apples as this. In fact, Kate disliked apples up until now.

“No meat…?” Travis pouted quietly.

“Travis, just eat what they have, it’s good!” Kate whispered back.

Earidon took a sip of his wine and lightly placed the cup down. “Wood elves do not eat the meat of the forests. Only the produce of the land.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, it is a way of paying our respects to the Forest. The Creator has blessed these woods, and us Ivsaar do what we must to preserve it.”

The table was rather quiet, but that was only because the other elves were speaking rather quietly and softly. Kate looked to Rossiel from the corner of her eye. She had that same troubled look on her face as she ate. It was awkward to have to eat with someone you knew too much about. Thankfully the table was two sizes too big to actually have direct contact.

“Do not stare,” Earidon whispered next to her.

Kate was suddenly forced out of her trance as she looked to Earidon. “What?”

“Looking upon a mourning elf would be unwise.” He motioned with his eyes to keep her gaze down.

Kate nodded softly, picking up a slice of buttered bread.

Across from her, Laela was staring down at an odd looking fruit on her plate. Her forehead was woven in a tight knot, as she seemed to be struggling against something. Her shoulders quivered and she bit her lip.

Travis noticed it too. “Laela…are you—”

Laela shot up from her seat, clutching the edge of the table. “MISS ROSSIEL, PLEASE JOIN US!” she cried, tears emerging in her eyes.

Everyone fell silent and froze. All eyes were directed towards Laela in shock. They then looked between her and Rossiel questionably. Rossiel was looking too, and her face began to grow red. She looked down immediately, not saying a word before rising from her seat. Rossiel hastily walked from the table and through a path in the garden, keeping her head low. There was a long pause of silence as every guest there looked at each other puzzled.

“Laela!” Earidon hissed in a low voice. “What ever was that for?!”

Laela watched Rossiel disappeared in the garden with a worried look. “She needs to be confronted somehow.” She lowered her head in a praying manner. “Oh Creator, help her.” Tears began to fall from Laela’s eyes after she said those words.

“H-hey—” Travis put an arm around her shoulder comfortingly. “Laela, don’t cry—Rossiel will join us, I’m sure of it!”

Rossiel ran through the forest, leaves and branches slapping against her body. She lunged over a log and touched back down rather flimsily. She couldn’t face it; she didn’t want to see them. It was too much. What did they know about how she felt? How could they? No matter how much they knew about her they wouldn’t understand!

Rossiel nearly fell as she tried to maneuver over a vine. She quickly pressed to a tree to give herself leverage. She rested her head against it and tried to catch her breath. Why did she feel so weak? It was almost as if something were weighing her down. She slammed her fist against the tree, feeling a mixture of frustration, anger, sorrow, and despair all at once. “I don’t want to leave…I don’t want to leave you mother!” Rossiel cried. She fell down to the ground out of exhaustion and covered her face with her hands. Tears began to emerge in her eyes and Rossiel soon began to weep. It felt like she had been there for hours, simply crying in the deep forest. She didn’t want to go back to face them again. And that little human girl…how could she be so confident? Just stop thinking about them! she thought.

From all around, the forest began to grow quiet. The chorus of crickets died down, and the wind stopped moving through the trees. Everything slowly began to settle and quiet down, leaving only the muffled sobs from the elf. Rossiel’s sobs began to quiet down. What had happened to the forest? Part of her wished to see, but this invisible force kept her down and crying.

“Rossiel…” A soft voice called out to her. It was deep and melancholic, but resonated a sort of power.

Rossiel felt herself go stiff. She didn’t recognize this voice, no not at all. Who was there…? She felt too shaken to look.

“Rossiel!” the voice called again.

Rossiel bit her lip. She had to look. She had to know. Lifting her head slowly, Rossiel let her gaze trail up and couldn’t believe her eyes.

Standing before her was a bright figure, stiff and fixated. But from behind the glow it was a man, or whatever race he was she couldn’t identify. He wore an elaborate set of robes, along with a piece of armor to show power. His hair was long like silk and his complexion was perfect. And his eyes were a soft purple to which had a soft glow. The figure’s whole form was divine in of itself, like there could just possibly be nothing this real.

Rossiel sat there dumbfounded and staring at this figure. She couldn’t comprehend what was before her. She practically stared for a minute and still couldn’t take it all in. Rossiel felt herself begin to quiver there in that spot of the grass. Was it a spirit of the forest? No it couldn’t, she would have recognized its presence. Something felt very familiar about it all though…like she had seen this before.

“Rossiel,” the figure began again, speaking in her native tongue. “Why do you run from your destiny? Your calling is there with them…”

Rossiel blinked, trying to keep herself from faltering. She tried to answer, but it felt as if any answer she gave would be pathetic. “I…I want to protect Ami Asari…”

The figure furrowed his brow. “Rossiel Bethaniel…your city will be safe. There is nothing to fear. And Callon…he died for your sake, so that you could go and join the your brothers and sisters. Would you let his death be in vain?”

Rossiel lowered her head, her lip quivering. “N-no…” she croaked. “But…mother…”

The figure stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulder. He raised her chin with his finger. “She fought and died so that you could fulfill your destiny, so that you and your people could live to see the light once again… Do not let fear take you, young one. The world reaches out to you with a crippled arm, and you must be there to aid them…” The figure paused. “They cannot do this alone. Stand with them, and the darkness of the world will be purged.”

Rossiel nodded slightly, wiping a tear away.

“There is a darkness that lies beyond, one that will affect all and one that will stop at nothing to rule this world. Shangorn, the Abyss, they are one in the same. They are amassing armies, plaguing neighboring kingdoms in torment and shadow. And they will come here next. You have seen it, their influence is troubling the spirits and creatures, and it is dangerous to venture off on your own. There will be power much greater than that soon, one that will touch every living thing, and the people will be helpless to stop it.

“Rossiel…that is why you must embark on this journey with them. You and the Seals are the only one’s who can stop the dark ones. You are the only one’s with that power… But though their numbers are great, do not have fear, your brethren will be at your side, and there is no gift greater than that.” The figure waved his hand towards the way she came. “Now go, Rossiel!” Within a blink of an eye, the figure vanished as a falcon shrieked and flew up into the trees, disappearing from sight.

Rossiel sat there, taking in his words and processing them. Who was that? Had it been a forest spirit? It couldn’t have been, this person was much different. But then a thought came to mind, and her eyes widened slightly. It had to be, it had to be him. Who else would it be? But there was no time for sitting here. She had to accept her destiny…as one of the Six Seals. Rossiel bowed respectfully. “Thank you…Kane,” Rossiel said as she bowed deeply, her head touching the turf.