The Return pt.05
It had been many weeks since Morrigan had departed from Arlorne and her king, Lucien, was standing atop the castle walls looking westward. In the all-encompassing darkness of this clouded land, his servants stood at the bottom of the wall and struggled to see his figure even with the aid of magical torches and magic lights.
As they look up at Lucien, the beautiful maid Talia asked with annoyance in her voice “What’s he doing?”
Carol, the old warrior and chef, would answer “I think he’s watching for Morrigan. But I’ve never seen him like this before so I can’t say for sure.”
Turning to face the old man, Talia asks in anger “Does he think she would leave him?”
The exceptionally tall August steps up to Talia and places a hand on her shoulder as he answers her question “We all know it’s been too long and that she should have returned by now, but our lord is not like us Talia. He probably can’t comprehend this situation after so long.”
Furthered angered by what appears to her as a nonchalant attitude about their missing friend and family member, Talia snaps and pushes August away from her as she shouts “We all know damn well that something has happened to her. Don’t act like this doesn’t concern us.”
Having stepped back from the push, August looks to his friend and fellow servant and asks “What would you have us do Talia? Would you have the four of us scouring the entirety of Rylocke looking for her?” He would then step closer to her as he continued “She could be anywhere outside of Reval by now, including in the halls of Gerlornus with our ancestors and Panno. We don’t know anything Talia.”
Suddenly Talia draws her beautiful cross-hilted rapier and places the tip against August’s throat before saying through her teeth “Don’t you dare suggest she’s dead again August unless you want to go to Gerlornus yourself to find out.”
Nikolas, being the weakest fighter of all the servants and more suited to work in a kitchen, stepped back from the potential carnage as Carol steps between Talia and August. “Calm down you two. Us fighting each other is not something our lord would want, nor does it help Morrigan.”
Sheathing her rapier Talia scoffs before storming off into the keep mumbling “Damned cowards.”
August reaches up to his throat and gently rubs it with a sigh “She really is the big sister.”
Nikolas and Carol both smile as they look up to the top of the wall only to find their king is no longer there. With his eyes quickly going wide in panic, Carol looks back towards the door Talia just walked through and mumbled “Oh no,” before rushing off into the keep to chase her down.
The other two quickly look towards the same door before looking back to where their king had been before realizing just what Carol had and followed after him with haste. They had to get to Talia before she did something rash.
As the two of them enter the keep they can see Carol standing down the hall, in a doorway just staring into the room. Quickly approaching the doorway, August and Nikolas are surprised by the sudden cracking sound of Talia slapping their lord hard across his face. When they finally get inside the doorway the two of them watch as Talia withdraws her hand and tears fill her eyes while surprise comes over Lucien’s face.
“Are you going to rescue her or not?”
The shouted question was more accusatory than a genuine question as it leapt from her mouth. Frozen in shock, none of the others could bother intervening in what they were witnessing.
“You know damn well she’d never leave your side as your personal servant. And you know damn well just how fond of you she is.”
Talia’s voice was loud and filled with her fury as she continued “Is it not your responsibility as our king to take care of us and to protect us? I thought you were the type to wage wars of destruction if it meant protecting your people.”
Her tears had begun to fall from her eyes as she stared at her lord in anger. But she was correct. In times past Lucien would have burned the world down for his people but now, he was a broken shell of his former self as those very same wars were what led to the destruction of his people’s land.
Lucien’s silence and unresponsive face angered Talia further causing her to push him away shouting “Well, what are you going to do King Lucien? What in the six hells are you going to do? Are you finally going to do your duties as king or are you going to continue to disappoint your people and the gods claimed to favor you?”
When Lucien offered no response and continued to look into her eyes with his unchanging blank stare, Talia snapped and shoved her finger into his breastplate “I don’t know why we serve you. You’re undeserving of it and her love and those titles you hold. You should just slit your own throat if this is how you’re going to continue acting.”
She then turned and began to storm off cursing “Damn you bastard. So much for being the great King of Arlorne and defender of its people. I’ll go save her myself.”
But Lucien wasn’t the only one to catch lashes from Talia’s tongue as she turned to the three men standing there watching her walk off “Damn all of you cowards! Morrigan would have dropped everything to help you, and this is how you treat her in turn. You’re just going to let her rot? I thought us Dharans were supposed to be loyal to each other as if we were all family.
“Disgusting cowards, all of you! Our ancestors are crying out in disbelief of the disgraces you’ve all become. We’d have razed Rylocke to the ground by now if it was any other king leading us. I hope none of you get to see the plains of Kurrgan or the halls of Gerlornus. Panno wouldn’t tolerate Dharans such as you in her realm.”
No one could look her in the eyes before she stormed off to her room shouting “I’m leaving to rescue Morrigan by my damned self and I won’t be coming back once she’s safe. I’ll find someone truly worthy of my service and loyalty since no one here is.”
Carol looks over to Lucien and finds him staring blankly at where Talia had been standing. Nikolas mumbles to himself in multiple tongues as he stares at the ground in thought, while August grits his teeth with his eyes firmly fixed on the ground.
All three of them would gladly ride out to rescue Morrigan but all three knew it was likely impossible to find her. Rylocke was a large continent and hid many secrets known only to a select few. Not even Lucien during his time as a conquering warlord succeeded in taking all of Rylocke, though none before or after came as close as he did.
Being the closest person to Talia, August made a decision and sighed loudly before taking off after her saying “I’ll try to stop her.”
Carol wanted to say something to August, but Lucien walked past him and left the keep surprising the old man. He understood where their king was likely headed but Carol had other concerns that he had to tend to at the moment.
With those concerns occupying his attention, Carol reached over to his middle-aged friend Nikolas and grabbed him by the shoulder, leading him towards the kitchen “Come on Nikolas you’re not built for this type of work. Let’s get you sat down before you drop dead ‘fore me.”
Nodding his head and following along, Nikolas sighed “I thought I left squabbles like this behind me. Why does she think I don’t care about Morrigan? I’m barely younger than her father, that girl’s like a daughter to me. If only I still knew people who could get me some information on her maybe then we could…”
Carol stopped him from saying more “Calm down Nikolas. Talia didn’t mean anything by it. You know Morrigan’s like a little sister to her, so she’s just a little upset and worried about her. Besides, we all know Morrigan will be fine. She’s a strong girl I’m sure she’ll escape whatever’s holding her.”
Nikolas could only sigh once again as he nodded his head in silent agreement.
Inside Talia’s room, August finds her stuffing a bag full of her travelling gear. The clothes she had been wearing were already tossed aside and the clothing she would wear beneath her armor was laid out on the bed waiting for her to put them on.
“Talia calm down for a moment.”
Unappreciative of his words, Talia snaps back “Shut up August. I’m not leaving her to some unknown fate. I’m going to rescue her.”
Reaching out he gently grabbed her by the shoulder saying, “Talia listen to me,” but he was greeted by a leaping uppercut to his jaw. His exceptionally tall frame stumbled backwards as she cursed at him some more before quickly dressing herself. She then grabbed her bag and her rapier and stormed out of her room.
As she stormed out of her room, August rubbed his jaw as he looked over to the armor rack where she kept her armor stored. She had already readied several pieces of her armor for use which caused him to sigh.
With a shake of his head August walked off after her saying “Talia calm down. Please think about what you’re doing.”
Outside the castle, Lucien is walking through the remnants of Syrndharas towards a house that has long housed a family that loyally serves him. As he walks his gaze is firmly planted on the old stone streets beneath his feet, each step echoing out into the nearly abandoned city of old. He does not notice the worn and decrepit buildings around him as he continues through the city.
Eventually he comes to the home of his servant Allistar Ziudra and walked straight in without announcing himself, surprising Allistar as he lay in bed.
“My lord, what are you doing here?”
The older man couldn’t push himself up to properly greet his king and his voice was weak but that didn’t affect Lucien as he sat down on the edge of the bed, eliciting a groan from the bed and its frame.
“Morrigan’s not returned has she?”
Lucien did not need to say a word in response as the air about him was enough of an answer for the sick and dying father. Allistar laid his head back down and looked to the old ceiling with tears filling his eyes.
“Something must have happened to her then. She’d never abandon you even in death. She’d have her body buried so her spirit could still aide you long after she’s gone.”
Those words from Allistar hung in the air for a few moments that felt like years as Lucien sat there on the edge of the bed with his head hung low. But his voice came out filled with a solemn despair and desperation that none had heard before from him “What should I do Allistar?”
Surprise took hold of Allistar as he turned his head to look at his king “My lord, what?”
“I am lost and cannot see the way forward. What should I do?”
There was a new sense of pure desperation and fear in the old king’s voice as he sought advice for the first time in centuries.
A heavy sigh escapes from the old Allistar as he looks back towards the ceiling “You want my advice my lord?”
Lucien nodded his head before speaking “Yes, my old friend. Please, I need your advice now more than ever.”
Allistar closes his eyes tight before turning his head once again to look at Lucien, whose gaze was still between his own feet. “My lord, I think you should just return to being who you were and who you are. There’s no need for you to be stuck in the past in defeat. You’re our king and should continue forward as such. We’d follow you anywhere my lord, so just be who you are.
“Do as you will and as you would have.”
Lucien looks over his left should at his friend and servant asking, “What if I fail again?”
A soft smile comes across the bearded face of Allistar “My lord you’re much wiser than you were then. I’m sure you’ve learned from that defeat and will not repeat it again. But if you are ever defeated again then hold your chin up high and take it in stride as you never stop moving forward. As long as you remain true to yourself my lord, you’ll know what to do.”
It was now Lucien’s turn to smile as a warm smile came across his face before he turned on the bed and leaned over Allistar, placing a gentle kiss on the old man’s forehead. “My old friend you remind me much of my father. I wish he had been around longer than he was for I very much needed his advice and wisdom many times. Thank you for acting in his stead for this moment. I will never forget it.”
The tears that had been building began to fall from Allistar’s eyes as he thanked his king “Thank you my lord. Your words honor me and my family.”
Lucien’s eyes then glance over the old man before speaking “I wish my magic was capable of healing you of your sickness Allistar, but my healing skills are quite limited compared to my skills in death and destruction.”
A feeble and weak hand lifted from the bed and placed itself on Lucien’s shoulder before Allistar’s tired voice says “It’s fine my lord. I’m tired and ready to rest. I miss my wife dearly and though I’ll miss Morrigan, I leave her in your hands Lucien.”
The armored hands of Lucien’s took Allistar’s hand in them as he asked, “Is there any last request you’d ask of your king and friend?”
Nodding his head gently Allistar asked “My lord I’d request you take Morrigan for your own,” He then corrected himself “As your wife my lord. I know of your past proclivities, but me and her mother could rest easily if she was yours. And it would grant my daughter’s one wish that she’s held onto since childhood.”
Lucien hung his head low before looking the old man in the eyes and answering, “I cannot give you my word that I will take her as my wife Allistar but I can give you my word that I will consider it and that I will always have a place at my side for her as long as she wishes it.”
Allistar could only smile and accept Lucien’s word as he softly cried “Thank you my lord.”
With those words Lucien stood up from the bed and surprised Allistar by gently lifting him from the bed and carrying him out of his home.
“My lord what are you doing?”
“Taking you to the castle Allistar. It is better if you are close by to the others.”
Too weak to resist his lord, Allistar complains “But my lord, I can feel that I don’t have many more days left. You should let me die in my home.”
Without turning back, Lucien keeps marching forward towards the castle “No Allistar. You deserve to be in my home surrounded by those who care for you. It would shame us all greatly if you were to die alone to not be found until someone could make it to your home.”
He then looked down at his servant and added “Neither your late wife nor Morrigan would want you to die alone in that house. Do this for them as much as me and the others.”
Quietly the old man cried as he softly nodded his head yes, grateful for his lord’s compassion in his final days.
Entering the kitchen Talia asks “Where’d that worthless king go? Is he back on his throne sulking like a coward?”
Sighing, Carol looks up from his drink on the table and answers “No, he went to visit Allistar.”
Talia scoffs before responding “Probably to apologize for not rescuing her or making excuses to not go and save her.”
Without listening to another word Talia left through the servants’ door in the kitchen as Carol tried telling her “You should stop speaking badly about our lord. I’m certain you’ll regret it.”
Rolling his eyes at Talia’s actions, August continues to follow her as he tells Carol “Sorry about her. I’m trying my best.”
He too was unable to hear what Carol said next “She’s a stubborn woman August. It doesn’t bother me.” But Carol was left speaking to the air and to Nikolas who pounded the table with his fist. Carol then look over to his friend and asked, “You think of anything yet?”
Shaking his head, Nikolas answers “No, not yet.”
With that Carol and Nikolas resume drinking as Nikolas runs through everyone he can remember hoping he can think of someone that could help them.
Carrying Allistar in his arms Lucien enters his keep and carefully carries his friend through it towards a room that hasn’t seen use in centuries. Allistar realizes where he is and asks his lord “Are you sure my lord?”
This room was important to Lucien as it was not only his personal bed chamber but the royal bed chamber and the place where his mother had died while holding him as a baby. No one else but the royal family had been allowed to sleep in this room before, not even the many female guests Lucien had, and so this was certainly an honor Allistar felt undeserving of. Not even Lucien’s words of “You deserve this honor old friend,” could sway the old dying man but he was forced to accept it as Lucien pushed open the door with his foot.
Inside the room the two of them could see it had been well maintained in the centuries since Lucien imprisoned himself on his throne. Despite the immaculate condition it was in, a new layer of dust had settled over the room telling them both just who had been keeping the room clean in recent years. And as they approached the bed, they could tell it had been used as well by the very same individual.
Allistar looked up to his lord and apologized “I’m sorry for her behavior my lord.”
Lucien could only shake his head as he laid his friend down on the bed and helped him under the blankets. "It is nothing Allistar.” A smile had come over Lucien’s face before he looked to the fireplace and found fresh logs sitting there waiting to be used. With his smile filling with his surprise and the joy he felt, Lucien flicked his wrist with a few spoken words and sent a small puff of fire towards the wood.
The wood quickly ignited and filled the room with a warm glow as the heat began to radiate through the room. And as Lucien turned away and began walking towards the door Allistar called to him “My lord, you know I don’t have long.”
With his head now hanging low Lucien took a deep breath before turning to his friend and walking back to him. Kneeling next to the bed, Lucien took Allistar’s hand in his own as he admitted that he did. Allistar’s eyes began to fill with tears as he looked at his lord “Please my lord don’t let her die away from home.”
Lucien nodded his head in agreement as he said, “You already have my word that I will leave a place for her at my side Allistar.” His usual candor then broke as he continued “I’m going to rescue her and I swear to you Allistar, and to the gods Panno and Moriena, that I will rescue Morrigan and bring her home safely.”
Allistar smiled warmly as he squeezed Lucien’s armored hand “Live freely my lord.”
“May you forever feel a warm breeze and have a swift horse beneath you my friend.”
These words made Allistar begin to cry for these words were said in the original and ancient Dharan tongue that he spoke very little of. It was an old Dharan prayer than every Dharan was taught from birth and was usually reserved for being spoken to the dead, the dying, or those thought to soon be dead, for they would be joining their mother goddess Panno in the open and warm plains of Kurrgan. It was an honor for Allistar, in his final days, to hear these words from Lucien and he could only nods his head in acceptance as Lucien placed Allistar’s hand down on his chest before standing and walking out of the room.
As Lucien walked through the halls of his keep away from his room, he noticed through the small windows a large force of horsemen riding towards his city trailing a large cloud of dust behind them. In the middle of the cavalry was a somewhat ornate carriage flying the banners of some human kingdom unknown to Lucien. In this moment Lucien said to himself as his face became still and cold as ice “I see I’m about to learn just what has happened to her.” He then moved quickly down the halls towards the stairs. Lucien would be in his throne when they came.
Once down the stairs Lucien decided that he wanted his people to witness what was about to happen and so walked quickly by the kitchen telling Carol and Nikolas through the open door “We have important guests coming you two.”
The two men quickly realized instantly who was talking to them, as it was the most handsome voice they had ever hear and were shocked by it, but their bodies moved on their own as they stumbled from their seats to their feet. Nikolas had to force himself up from the ground as his feet had caught his chair and Carol had to use the tables to not only push himself up but to hold himself up and to balance as he quickly moved out of the kitchen with Nikolas. Once they had left the kitchen the two men were quick to move towards the throne room where they knew Lucien would be.
Inside the throne room the two old men found Lucien sitting proudly on the throne as they looked towards the large doors that faced the throne. “They will be here shortly you two. Feel free to stand where you wish. I have a feeling this will be important for what’s to come.”
Carol and Nikolas both swallowed hard as they looked to their lord, but neither could bring themselves to move much further from the side door they had just entered from.
Outside the keep at the castle’s stables, August was doing his best to stop Talia as she worked on saddling a horse. “Talia will you stop and listen to me.”
The angered woman snapped back to him “Shut up August. I’m not going to stay around here surrounded by cowards who aren’t willing to help family.”
August stepped to Talia and grabbed her by the arm but all that succeeded in was causing her to swing around with her fist flying towards his chin. And as her fist collided with his chin the horse standing there near them began stamping its feet with a shake of its head and blew at them causing both to stop fighting. The two of them looked at the horse in silent confusion before they realized what it had done as they began to hear the sound of many horses’ hooves moving quickly across the old stone streets of their empty city.
With both of them frozen Talia asks the one question both want the answer to “What in the hells is going on?”
Outside of the keep Count Draeken, Captain Marcus and the captain of Draeken’s personal military force Captain John Draeken look up at the imposing stone building. Captain John was the first to speak up “This is certainly something else. I never would have expected such a castle here in the wastes. I guess the old legends were true.”
The other hundred guards around them swallowed hard beneath their helmets as they looked up at the imposing black stone keep in this permanently dark land. The lightly armored war horses beneath them were restless and wanting to leave this place as they could sense some terrifying creature but did not know just what it was. The men on the horses did their best to calm them but they could not even calm themselves in the face of this feeling of dread the land around them gave off.
Count Draeken breathed heavily as he stepped from his carriage while asking “Who’s going in with me to speak with the king of these lands?”
Quickly Captain John speaks up first “I’m not letting you go in there without me cousin,” and Captain Marcus was quick to join in as well “King Richard asked me to accompany you here so I will not allow you to go in without me.”
The count nodded his head appreciating the courage the two captains showed before walking away from his carriage as the captains each selected five men from their companies to follow them inside. These men dismounted from their horses and followed Count Draeken to the large doors with uneasy hands resting on the hilts of their swords.
As the doors to the keep open the group is surprised to find it illuminated by magical lights and torches but Count Draeken tells them “There are still servants here serving the king. This much is to be expected.”
The men around him were impressed with the courage Count Draeken was displaying but none of them realized just how much terror he felt. He was just doing his best to hide his shaking. But despite the fear they all felt they knew they had to push forward into the keep and through the entrance hall towards the doors on the other side.
Walking through the entrance hall seemed to take hours but few steps were actually required to cross it. The two large doors now before them felt imposing to all but the men hardened themselves and prepared to face what was inside as the two captains stepped forward and placed their hands on the doors. Count Draeken then asked with a smile that barely hid the terror he felt “Are you all ready to meet a legend?”
With those words the two captains pushed against the old doors and forced them open.
From his throne Lucien watched as the doors to his throne room slowly opened to reveal the largest group of men to visit him in many, many years. The two opening the doors were clearly important as their helmets were nowhere to be seen, revealing the silver-blonde hair of one and the dark hair of the other. And the emblems emblazoned on the medals hanging from the sides of the collars of their breastplates clearly denoted their stations as captains of some repute.
The elegantly dressed man stepping between them was a noble of some sort and clearly experienced in various matters as he walked like a soldier and held himself proudly. His long dark hair was showing some grey and was combed back over his shoulders. In Lucien’s eyes he seemed to bear some resemblance to one of the captains.
The men behind the noble pushing forward to act as his guard were clearly from two different companies of men. Much like their captains, five of them had shining steel armor that seemed to be untarnished by battle of paint as the color of steel was undisturbed. Their helmets had steel replicas of vierodon tusks curving out from around the mouth and resembled the large creature somewhat, denoting some symbolic likening to the vierodon.
The second group had armor dark in color with fur around the collars of their breastplates. Their helmets bore the imagery of snarling wolves ready for the kill causing Lucien to grin.
The men as they walked into the throne room saw the armored king sitting there proudly as he looked at them. His weathered and weak appearance made them relax and drop their guards. The exception was Count Draeken, for he knew better than to trust this creature’s current appearance.
Off in the corner of the throne room next to a second door stood Carol and Nikolas, watching everything unfold before them. The guards for Count Draeken and their captains took little note of the two men, for all they saw were two old men who appeared to be chefs but Count Draeken was old enough to remember and recognize the now out of shape and much older Carol.
The count had been a young warrior when Carol was a wandering mercenary in his final wars. They had briefly fought each other to a standstill despite the younger man’s greater endurance signifying the older man’s greater skill. Seeing that old and terrifying warrior here in the service of this creature was enough to make the count realize just how terrifying all of the creature’s servants must have been but he held himself fast as he approached the throne.
Carol for his part seemed to recognize Count Draeken as well and stared in disbelief at seeing the young warrior he fought so long ago here today. Nikolas was quick to pick up on the two men’s glances towards each other and understood they must have met each other on a past battlefield.
At the bottom of the steps leading to the throne Count Draeken offers a polite bow to Lucien, who watches the man carefully. Lucien’s armored hands tightly grip the arms of his throne as he looks down at the count who now introduces himself “Your majesty, I am Count Archibald Draeken of the Kingdom of Reval. I bring you news from our kingdom in hopes of a peaceable conclusion.”
Hearing the count’s name causes Lucien to say two words before he realized it “Draeken, unfortunate.”
Count Draeken smiled at the comment and looks up at the king as he says, “My ancestors earned the name for they were said to have fought like Draekia’s wolves.” It did not have to be said that it became their family name after many years of being called by the cognomen.
Lucien’s smile only grew wider as he informs the count “Must have been a Dharan who named your ancestors then. I know of no other people that hold Draekia and her wolves in such high regard and fear.”
The count was not surprised by this comment, as he had a few dealings with Dharans in the past. He understood why they are as legendary as the king he now stands before.
But the silence that hung in the air for but a few moments was now broken by Lucien, who silently tapped his left boot heel on the ground in annoyance and impatience, “What brings you here before me, The Nineteenth Ruler of Arlorne and Chieftain of the Dharan People, King Lucien Salvatal the Third, Count Archibald Draeken of Reval?”
Despite the question being asked Lucien was already aware of just what brought these men before him, he just wanted to hear it from their mouths himself.
Having heard the list of titles Lucien proclaimed for himself, Count Draeken swallows hard and says a silent prayer to the gods in hopes that what he is about to say does not lead to the destruction of Reval and its people.
Standing himself a little straighter and spreading his feet just a little wider apart to brace himself, Count Draeken looks the old king in the eyes and tells him “Your majesty, a duke within the Kingdom of Reval has taken a servant of yours as a slave and is in the process of trying to break her.”
In this instant Lucien’s eyes briefly seemed to flare in anger but Count Draeken could not tell as Lucien was hiding it on his face well. Despite this the two captains and their men instantly stepped back and away from him. Their knees shook beneath them and their hands shook as they held tightly onto the hilts of their swords, ready to draw them in the moment of their deaths, should it come.
But to their surprise Count Draeken seemed unaffected by the sudden and cold, cruel shift in the atmosphere of the room as he continued “He is trying to make her join his…harem. The last I saw of her, she had been crucified on the wall inside the great hall of his estate. Her…nude body appeared to be starved and lacking of water. But her spirit seemed unbroken and strong. As I left, she told me to seek you out if I wanted the kingdom to survive.”
Count Draeken could almost swear he saw the corners of Lucien’s mouth begin to grin as he looked at the impossibly blank face of Lucien. Lucien, however, was more furious than he had been in centuries despite the pride and joy he was feeling in learning of Morrigan’s strength. He had not felt a fury burning this hot since he was betrayed by his cousin during his time as a human king. Not even the destruction of his lands by his enemies’ magic with the permanent destructive cloud cover had made him this furious.
With no response seemingly coming from Lucien, Count Draeken decided to continue with his job “I come to you at the behest of my king, Richard the Fourth, in hopes that the words of your servant are true. My king wishes for you to spare the people of Reval and to focus your attentions towards Duke Castellen of Salver instead, as he is the one who has wronged you by taking your servant.”
Lucien’s fury threatens to boil over, but he holds himself back from the edge of the abyss and nearly through his teeth orders Count Draeken “Tell me more about this, Duke Castellen.”
The sound of his guards shaking in fear finally catches the attention of Count Draeken, who attempts to look behind him as he explains to Lucien just what and who Duke Castellen is.”
“Duke Castellen is a noble in the city of Salver, the closest city to your lands your majesty. He is a contemptable man, who has managed to amass vast amounts of wealth and power even amongst the nobility. He sees himself as above the crown and openly supports a faction within the nobility that wishes for Reval to not only conquer our neighbors but to move east and conquer not only your lands but the Immortal Realms as well.
“Him and the others like him do not believe that you exist, nor do they believe in the power of the eastern realms. They view Reval as the pinnacle of human society and feel we should become an empire spanning the entirety of the Rylocke Valley.”
With the count finally finished speaking, Lucien allows his head to lean back on his throne as he looks towards the ceiling. His mind works quickly as he processes this information while his eyes stare into the stone above him.”
Carol and Nikolas stand there in shock in the same spot they had been in. Having heard what was just said they feel their own anger boiling up in them as well.
Count Draeken cut his eyes over to the old Carol and sees the anger in the old man’s face. He knows that if Carol is furious then the king before him is likely just as furious, even if he doesn’t show it. Those thoughts quickly make Draeken move his eyes back to Lucien just as Lucien’s gaze moves down from the ceiling to him.
“Count Draeken, you may leave now.”
“But your majesty, what is your decision in regards to the Kingdom of Reval? Even your servant thought…”
He was not allowed to finish speaking as Lucien stared him in the eyes. Count Draeken felt those cold, dark eyes of Lucen’s burrowing deep into his soul and he knew that what he feared before him was the personification of death and destruction in the flesh. The dark god Moriena made in the flesh of man and descended to Vyrna, was who Count Draeken saw before him, and he understood that if he stayed any longer, he might be in the afterlife before Castellen.
“Leave now Count.”
With those words barely containing the fury of Lucien, Count Draeken turned quickly and nearly froze as he saw the men meant to guard him ready to flee in terror. Even the battle hardened captains were barely standing before Lucien anymore as fear had taken hold of not just their hearts but their very souls as well.
Captain John overcame enough of his fear to reach for his elder cousin and adopted father and pulled him along by the shoulder as the men quickly fled the keep towards their horses. Count Draeken was practically throne into his carriage by John as the others quickly mounted their equally terrified horses. And with utmost haste they fled from the castle through the empty city.
Outside the city’s eastern walls, the second half of their forces were unsteady as them and their horses wished to flee from the terror that filled the air. As the carriage surrounded by the others fled through the gatehouse of the city’s walls the others quickly followed suit and in a full gallop they charged away from the terrible Lucien and his dark city of Syrndharas, towards their homes in Reval.
As they fled, the door to the carriage was flung open by Count Draeken as he loudly asked the two captains “What happened back there captains?”
Captain John was the first to answer “Cousin, father I’m surprised you could stand there for so long in front of him. That back there was a monster that I felt no man could dare stand to.”
Captain Marcus nodded his head in agreement but before he could say anything Count Draeken made a realization and said “That’s because I already feared him greatly. You and the other men relaxed when you saw his appearance and though him weak, didn’t you? Well, I didn’t. I never stopped fearing him even as I began to speak to him.”
Captain Marcus would then finally speak up “Then you’re a stronger man than I, Count and I should learn from your example. Because I would not be willing to stand before him like that even if King Richard ordered me to. I would gladly be labeled a coward if it meant avoiding that monster’s fury.”
The good count could not fault or disagree with them as he looked out the rear window of his carriage towards the dark city. As he did so, his eyes went wide is terror as a storm of dust and magic swirled around the city, illuminating the desolate wasteland around them in shades of red and black. The men of the two companies all looked back over their shoulders and many could be heard screaming out in absolute terror at the display of Lucien’s immense power.
With their way being illuminated by the vast and powerful magic and fury of Lucien, Captain John spoke for every man there, as their horses seemed to be possessed by Panno herself and pushed themselves beyond their limits to flee from Syrndharas, “Cousin, I do not think I can ever fear a normal man again after today. We just stared death and the wrath of Moriena himself in the face. No human can compare after that. Not even the horrors of war compare to that monster.”
Count Draeken sighed loudly as he said “I agree John. I just hope we didn’t doom Reval to be a simple footnote in the annals of history.”
The men around him all agreed but many were now harboring thoughts of fleeing if Lucien came for the people of Reval in vengeance. They would much rather return to the battlefields against their neighboring kingdoms than be near a furious Lucien again.
It was now Captain Marcus’s turn to speak his mind “I think I will begin praying to Moriena for the rest of Rylocke to experience this. Maybe then we can have peace amongst the kingdoms.”
The count began laughing before saying “They already have Captain Marcus. That creature is the one you have likely heard referred to as The Great Terror.”
Captain Marcus quickly looks over his shoulder towards Count Draeken as he asks, “They experienced that and wanted to continue fighting?”
“Not at first but as time went on and humanity rebuilt, they began to forget about him and began warring amongst themselves once more.”
The good captain could only sigh and tell Count Draeken “Then I pray to all the gods of war that I one day have the same strength of will as you Count Draeken. I see why King Richard holds you in such high regard.”
“Thank you Captain. The words of a skilled warrior such as you honor me.”
John then looked to his fellow captain, his look clearly questioning Marcus, who simply nodded in quiet understanding. With this nod John looked back to his cousin and asked “Cousin, do you want me to lead the wolves to Salver and rescue his servant ourselves? We can keep him from ever entering Reval if we do that.”
The count quickly shook his head no as he explained “It’s civil war between the noble factions if you do that John. King Richard is using this to try and eliminate those nobles without having to war against them. You know well that the factions are currently equal in strength thanks to you two captains.”
Captain Marcus would then speak up “I agree with Captain John, Count Draeken. I think we should march our forces into Salver and rid ourselves of that duke and rescue that monster’s servant before he can arrive in Reval. But I don’t move without the king’s word, so I can’t help John if you were to give him the order.”
John looked down at the horse beneath him and gritted his teeth. Count Draeken noticed this and told him “Your offer is appreciated John and it’s certainly the best plan we have to avoid his wrath, but you know we can’t afford civil war right now. Too many enemies eye our kingdom with hunger and greed just waiting for the chance to take what they want from us.
“With that monster being the one to move it forces all kingdoms to strengthen their borders and focus on internal security rather than look outwards towards conquest. And it provides us with the respite necessary to rebuild the nobility and our forces correctly.”
Count Draeken then pauses and thinks over what he’s about to say but decides it’s for the best if the two captains learn of this now “You haven’t been told yet but within the next ten to fifteen years the Dukedoms of Dominim and Prallster will both have a larger, better equipped and better trained military force than we do currently.”
Nothing more needed to be explained to either captain. They both understood that the king was truly risking everything he had, including the very people he ruled over, to eliminate the biggest obstacle to Reval’s survival in the face of such might. Those nobles had to be eliminated for Reval to be able to quickly adjust and reorganize to the changing landscape surrounding them.
John looked to his cousin with the most serious look he could muster despite the fear he still felt from the distant Lucien, “Alright Archibald. Just tell me what you need of me and I will do it. I swore to you when you adopted me after my parents’ deaths that I would do everything in my power to make your goals reality, so tell me your wishes and I will make them happen.”
Count Draeken smiled as he reached for his carriage door and told his cousin “John, I simply want you to find a wife you love and live a happy life with her and many children. Beyond that I could not ask for more.
“But if you want to help me with my current goals then you can become the absolute strongest warrior you can manage and train my wolves to be the greatest military force in the valley. You let me worry about expanding the number of wolves and equipping them. If you do that for me cousin, then that’s what I need from you.”
John smiled widely temporarily forgetting the fear he feels for what’s behind them.
Captain Marcus smiled as well and said “Once we return to Eeclear I will request that King Richard grant me the authority to expand the royal guards and to grant us the land to properly train and organize.
“Having met that monster and now knowing the truth behind all those secret meetings, I feel my forces are woefully inadequate.”
He then looked to John and said, “I hope you and the wolves will join us in training John.”
John smiled and nodded his head as Count Draeken shut the door to the carriage and sat back down to try and calm himself.
Outside of his carriage, the two captains looked to their terrified men and asked, “Will you all join us in this effort?”
One of the royal guards swallowed hard before saying “Captain sir, I am too afraid of that monster to want to fight anymore but I can’t flee from this. I want to grow strong enough to follow Count Draeken’s example. If he stood there despite feeling this terror, then I know I can as well.”
Marcus nodded his head before asking if any others felt different knowing full well several of these men were likely to leave the royal guards and retire from being soldiers all together. He couldn’t blame them, but he did feel saddened by it.
John and the wolves were going through much the same thing but as everyone looked over their shoulders towards that city of terror they found nothing but shadows and darkness. The fear was still there but they now knew what true and incomprehensible power and strength looked like. Nothing in their kingdom or the neighboring kingdoms could compare to the terror they just felt or the show of power they just witnessed.
All of them would have volunteered to rescue Morrigan from Duke Castellen but now most of them would work towards becoming the preeminent military force on Rylocke. And with the knowledge and experience they just gained they would certainly become a terrifying force all their own. All they could pray for was for the strength to make this happen and for those they train in the future to understand what they experienced this day and embrace the teaching it taught them.
August and Talia were still near the stables when the force of Lucien’s anger hit them from inside the keep. The horse next to them whinnied and stamped its hooves into the ground in excitement. The two looked at each other with August nodding his head before they slowly made their way to the front of the keep.
There at the front of the keep they saw the horses, the carriage and the nearly hundred men waiting in fear. They witness the count, and his guards rush out of the keep and the count being thrown into the carriage by the captain before the group fled with all possible haste.
Talia watched and asked “What in the hells is going on? Did they bring something with them? What’s happening here?”
August looks through the open doors of the keep and sees their king sitting there on his throne as his magic and fury mix to create a storm. “I’m sure our king’s about to go west Talia.”
“What are you talking about?”
As Talia asked this question, she looked inside the keep as well and instantly realized just what he meant as she saw their lord in all his fury.
On his throne Lucien’s fury finally showed on his face like a demonic wolf. His teeth were bared; his long black hair blew around in the violent winds that his fury and magic conjured from nothing.
Carol and Nikolas covered their faces to protect themselves from the dust and debris flying around as the approached their king. Carol tried calming his lord by shouting through the winds “My lord, please calm yourself. This old keep can’t handle such forces anymore.”
Lucien’s fury and magic continued to flow violently around him as he stood from his throne screaming out “I WILL SLAUGHTER THEM ALL! THEY DARE HARM MY MORRIGAN? I WILL SHOW THEM THE MEANING OF TERROR!”
But moments later Lucien calmed himself. Carol walked closer saying “My lord, please control yourself,” but Lucien kept him from saying more by barking out his first orders in centuries “Nikolas bring my crown to the temple. Carol follow me.”
Nikolas bowed his head before quickly rushing off to where he knew the crown was kept. Lucien then walked out of his throne room, through the entrance hall and out of the keep. Carol followed closely behind unable to find the words he wanted to saw say to his king.
Outside of the keep Lucien noticed August and Talia standing there and without looking at either of them barked out more orders “August bring my sword to the temple. Talia follow me for a moment.”
With a bow of his head August disappeared into the keep as Talia quickly followed behind Lucien.
“What is it my lord?”
Talia’s tone when asking her question calmed the heart of Lucien as he knew she would forgive him for his inaction and a hidden smile formed on his face as he answered “Talia I am naming you regent while I am away. Out of everyone you are most suitable to rule Arlorne while I am away.”
He then stopped walking and turned to face her “You are to be crowned queen if I do not return and my heir never comes. Do not let the rest of Arlorne or our people be reduced to forgotten dust and produce the next great line of rulers for our people.”
Talia froze in place as she heard what her king was saying. She now desperately wanted to apologize to him for her earlier treatment of him and to protest her appointment as regent and heir but every time she tried speaking the words caught in her throat. Tears formed in her eyes as she became frustrated with herself because of her inability to speak in the moment.
But nothing she wanted to say was to be heard by Lucien as he placed his hand on her shoulder “Please Talia. Accept this responsibility for me. You are the only one I can trust with this. Carol and Nikolas are too old. August is ill suited for the responsibility and Allistar is dying. You must do this for me and if not for me for our people.”
With tears streaming down her face, Talia lowered her head and bowed to her king “Yes, my lord. I will accept this responsibility and serve as regent in your stead. And if neither you nor your heir shall return, I will assume the title of queen as per your will.”
Lucien lean forwards and kissed the top of her head before telling her “Thank you Talia. You will find the ring of the King of Arlorne in the treasury. It will signify your power alongside the royal sword. Protect them with your life and let no others hold them but you or my heir. They’ve been in my family since before King Orias Salvatal the First was crowned as king.”
Her head would lower further as Lucien turned and walked off leaving Talia to fall to her knees crying. She had just been forced into ruling a kingdom that was three thousand years old by the longest ruling king and her lord. Belief that he would return with Morrigan held strong in her heart, but she felt wrong in being regent and successor when she could not even apologize for all she said and did to him just earlier that day.
A few short moments later Lucien and Carol arrived outside of the very large stone temple to the gods. Lucien breathed in heavily seeing it so worn down and threatening to fall apart but he steeled himself and walked inside anyways. Carol following close behind asked “My lord what are you going to do here?”
Walking through the temple, Lucien turned and walked into the least decorated and most sinister section of the temple as he answered “You know the traditions of our people Carol. I’m declaring war on that Duke Castellen and his men.”
Carol’s eyes went wide hearing his lord’s tone as he followed Lucien closely into the part of the temple dedicated to the dark goddess Draekia.
This section of the temple was feared by most as it held the only known statue dedicated to the dark goddess. That statue depicted not only the dark goddess herself but her wolves as well. And despite being a statue, the Dharans that made it saw fit to bind the dark goddess and her beloved wolves in chains.
It had been many years ago when Carol was a young man setting off on his own to live as mercenary that he last set foot in this section of the temple, and it was certainly filthier now with more dust and debris. He walked behind and watched Lucien as he began unchaining the wolves around Draekia. But shock and fear consumed him quickly when he saw his lord reach for the chains binding Draekia herself.
“My lord what are you doing, stop!”
Without looking over his shoulder towards his servant Lucien asked, “What is it Carol?”
“MY lord you can’t do that. You can’t free Draekia from her binds. She is far too dangerous for that. No ruler since Queen Elizatawel has freed Draekia from her chains and none before her dared to.”
“Carolien.”
Hearing his full given name being said in such anger caused the old Carol to drop to his knees and bow before his lord.
“I know the history of my own family Carolien. I am well aware of the history of our people and the struggles my ancestor went through after freeing Draekia from her binds. I know that once freed she is near impossible to rebind but I do not care.
“If there ever was a time for Draekia to be free alongside her wolves it is now when I am about to return to the path of war. Her and her beloved wolves will serve greatly in hunting down the duke’s men and rescuing Morrigan.
“And even if they come to hunt me down as well, I will be ready. They will not take me and I will show Draekia and her wolves that we Dharans are still the great and proud warriors and hunters of old.”
Unable to argue with his lord anymore Carol lowered his head further as he quietly said “As you wish my lord. I will follow your command to the best of my abilities, and I would willingly follow you into the depths of all six hells if you asked it of me.”
“Thank you, Carol.”
With those words of gratitude Lucien returned his gaze to the statue of the dark goddess Draekia and reached up to the chains that bind her. Hesitation now came over him as doubts about this decision filled him, but Lucien was never one to be deterred once he made up his mind. And with a quick motion he snapped the chains binding the dark goddess that was most feared by the Dharans.
As those chains fell to the stone floor below a wicked and cruel howling laughter was heard on the wind everywhere. The dark goddess herself was always watching her statue in Syrndharas and could be heard by every Dharan still alive when her statue was freed of its binds.
Even Morrigan hanging from her crucifix inside of Duke Castellen’s estate heard the laughter of Draekia over the sounds of the duke’s current feast and felt chills run down her spine. Instinctively she knew who the laughter was from and what it was for. A smile came across her face as she knew her lord was finally on the move if Draekia herself was laughing and free.
But as the dark goddess’s cruel howling laughter subsided it was replaced on the wind by the sound of wolves running quickly and wild. Howls were heard everywhere on Vyrna as the mother of wolves was let loose upon the world.
Most did not realize what was happening and dismissed the sounds all together but those that understood were filled with fear. Draekia was not a god to normally be involved in the mortal world but now the sounds of her laughter and the movements of her children filled the air. And this certainly meant many were going to die.
Looking at the chains lying by his feet, Lucien sighed in relief as his mind began thinking back to the traditions of his people. The wolves of Draekia were feared and respected in equal measure by the Dharans. So, when the Dharans declared war they always unchained the statues of Draekia’s wolves, leaving her chained out of fear, and released captured wolves into the territory of those they were warring against. Looking back to the statue of the dark goddess and her children, Lucien began to wish he still possessed some captured wolves so he could complete the tradition. The consequences for releasing Draekia be damned.
With the deed done Lucien turns around and walks past the still bowing Carol “Come Carol. I have further need of you if you still wish me to be your king.”
Carol pushed himself to his feet and turned to find Lucien waiting there looking at him. The tears welling in Carol’s eyes begin to fall down his face as he chokes out the words “I will serve you my lord until the end of my days.”
The emotionless face of Lucien quietly nods his head as he reaches out and places an armored hand on Carol’s shoulders. “Thank you, Carol. I know you do not agree with my actions just now, but I am proud to have had your loyalty for so long and that I continue to do so.”
Nodding his head Carol reaches up and wipes his eyes free of the tears as Lucien turns and leads him out of the temple.
The worries Carol had were right and just, what Lucien had just done was certainly an insane decision that he would likely come to regret. But Lucien made the decision knowing all of that. He knew this would likely come back to repay him with disaster, but he would be ready. He needed Draekia’s aid to enact a bloody war of vengeance, death and destruction against Duke Castellen and his people. All he could do now was pray to his creator and the owner of his soul Moriena and his mother goddess Panno for the strength and power to keep his family safe from Draekia’s cruelty.
Stepping foot outside of the temple Lucien and Carol are greeted by August, who has a fearful look on his face and in his eyes. “My lord, what was that about?”
“You know the answer August. I freed Draekia from her binds. I require her aid in rescuing Morrigan.”
August wanted to argue but he could only nod his head in acceptance as he held out his hands, presenting Lucien’s sword to him. Reaching out to take his sword from August, Lucien told him “Thank you August.” With the sword now in his hands the two men watched as Lucien drew the legendary black blade from its sheath with his right hand.
In the darkness of Syrndharas the black blade was hard to make out but even now it seemed to reflect the light from the sun. The Ancient Dharan Runes engraved along both sides of its blade were impossible to read for the two servants. That version of the Dharan tongue had died out centuries before they were born. Inside the city of Syrndharas there was only one person left who could read or speak it and he was currently holding the sword in his hand.
Lucien took a few swings with the sword, the humming of it slicing through the air was louder than any other Carol or August had heard before. The blade itself seemed to be many swinging in the same direction at once while in Lucien’s hand. Once he had finished with his right-hand Lucien then switched to his left and what was an incredible display of skill, strength and speed now seemed to pale in comparison.
In his left hand the sound of the blade slicing through the air was terror inducing and it seemed to disappear from sight entirely. Awe filled the two experienced warriors as they had never witnessed such a display before. It wasn’t until Lucien had returned the blade to its sheath and said the word “Good,” that they realized their clothes had been cut in many places and some of the hair on their arms was shaved by their lord’s display.
His expertise with the blade was astonishing as it appeared to be as sharp as it were at the height of his powers and undiminished with time. Both men had read about their lord’s skill but seeing it in person made them realize just how great he truly was, even after over eight centuries of inactivity and self-imprisonment.
Before either Carol or August could say anything, Nikolas came running up while carrying two separate crowns. As he stopped in front of Lucien, Nikolas was doubled over breathing heavily “My lord what was that laughter I heard? It sounded as if an entire pack of wolves were laughing in unison.”
Lucien looked down at his servant and answered, “That was Draekia because I freed her statue of its binds.”
A terrified look came over Nikolas as he looked into his lord’s eyes and asked “Why?”
August stepped up to the older man and placed a hand on his shoulder saying “Don’t worry about it Nikolas. I’m sure you already know the answer already.”
The older man’s eyes widened as he continued to look into his lord’s eyes and all Lucien can do is offer a single nod of his head.
“I see you brought both crowns Nikolas.”
Startled by the sudden change in conversation, Nikolas looked down at his hands and said “Yes, my lord. I was unsure which one you would want.”
One of the two crowns was the original gold crown adorned with jewels worn by the first twelve rulers of Arlorne. Queen Elizatawel Salvatal I was the last ruler to wear it as she replaced it during her reign after having unleashed Draekia upon the world.
The second crown which had been worn in repentance since, was made up of the same heavy black metal as Lucien’s sword and armor and lined with gold. In the eight points, where precious jewels would normally be laid, was polished black and grey stones that were only found in Arlorne.
Both of these crowns were incredibly old and worn with time, having been ignored for centuries, but Lucien knew they were easily cleaned and restored now that he was moving again. And so he told his servant “Good work Nikolas.”
Nikolas bowed proudly as he said, “Thank you my lord,” but he was left with a question “Which one do you want my lord?”
Lucien looked between the both of them before noticing a swollen red eyed Talia slowly walking towards them. His eyes fixed on her as he said “Neither. Let Talia hold onto them. She is my regent while I am away, and my heir should I and my current heir fail to return.”
Both Nikolas and August stared at their lord in disbelief. Neither could believe what they were hearing and both tried arguing but fell silent as they choked on their words. Talia walked up to the group and said nothing as she held her head low. Lucien would however tell her “Hold yourself proudly girl.”
With a nod of her head Talia reached up to her eyes and wiped away the remnants of her tears before straightening her back out and holding her head high.
“That is the Talia I know and the way a servant of mine should carry themselves.”
Lucien then reached down to Nikolas and took the two crowns from him before stepping over to Talia. He hands the two crowns to her as he tells her “These are yours should I fail to return. Treat them well.”
Taking them from Lucien, Talia nodded her head as she said, “Yes my lord.”
Lucien’s armored hand would reach up to her head and gently pet her as he spoke to her “If I do not return, you will be the first of a new line of rulers in Arlorne, meaning you will be free to wear the original if you wish. You have no need to offer repentance for your family’s misdeeds as my family does.”
Talia quietly nodded her head as she continued to choke on her apology to him. But she would not be allowed to speak the words she desperately wished to say to him as Lucien wrapped the belt of his sheath around him just below the waist “Nikolas do your best to assist Talia when she needs it. You are the one most suited to be an advisor out of everyone else here.”
The old man would nod his head as August asked, “My lord do you want me to ready your horse for you?”
Lucien was quick to shake his head no as he answered “No August, I must go this alone. I do not wish to make him come with me this time. He should continue living as a horse rather than my personal war machine. No, you and Carol should take a couple of horses out and summon all the remaining villagers to the city and close the gates. They will be safer here now that Draekia has been set free from her binds.”
The two men bowed their heads as Lucien looked back to Nikolas “Nikolas I will also need you and Talia to take care of Allistar for the rest of his days. He is currently laying in the royal bed chamber. I suspect you will not have to care for him long. His days are short in number, and he deserves to live them in comfort surrounded by those that love him.”
Nikolas bowed his head as Lucien turned to Talia once more and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I know I leave a heavy burden on your shoulders Talia, but I know you can handle it. You are the strongest woman Arlorne has seen in ages and your bloodlines run strong in you. Do not doubt yourself and be how you are. Do not let these thoughts you currently hold control you and embrace yourself fully. I know you can live up to my expectations easily if you do so.”
He then carefully grabs her right hand and guides it to the hilt of her cross-hilt rapier. Without needing his help further, Talia wraps her fingers around the hilt and grips it tightly as she slowly draws it. Her head rises as the blade comes free and the look in her eyes tells Lucien she will be just fine. “Good. Now live well Talia.”
Stepping back from his loyal servants, Lucien looks at them with a smile and tells them in the old Dharan tongue “Live freely and may you forever feel a warm breeze and have a swift horse beneath you my loyal friends.”
Their eyes fill with surprise and tears as Lucien turns and walks away from them. Through the empty and desolate city he moves as his mind turns to task at hand.
Talia stands there holding onto her rapier as she watches her lord disappear into the darkness of their homeland. She knows and believes that he will return with Morrigan but a part of her is disheartened and fears the worst. But she quickly embraces her confidence in herself and in her lord as she turns to the other servants while sheathing her rapier. “We have work to do everyone. You heard our lord’s wishes.”
All three men smile as they quickly rush back to the keep to carry out their lord’s wishes.
Talia, however, turn backs to face the direction Lucien had disappeared in and makes a decision with determination. Quickly she enters the temple herself and moves through to the section dedicated to Panno.
Inside Panno’s temple Talia moves beneath the large statue of the mother goddess herself and kneels, presenting the two crowns on the stone floor. There she swears to the mother goddess that she will make amends with her king and apologize for her actions once he returns. She swears to better serve him than before and to once more become the her she once strived for.
After making her oath to Panno, Talia looks up and swears the statue of Panno is smiling in soft joy for her. A warmth fills Talia’s heart and calmness flows through her mind as determination overwhelms all of her doubts and worries.
With renewed determination and a settled mind Talia stands and moves out of the temple, taking the crowns with her as she returns to the keep. As regent she has work to do even if the land she rules is a barren and destroyed wasteland.
Leaving through the eastern gates Lucien feels the dried land beneath him cracking under each step. The stone roads that had once led in all directions from the walled city of Syrndharas had been reclaimed by the land he ruled over. And as he continued to walk forward, he felt his anger return. He felt his rage building inside of him and his power swell. The land itself now seemed to cower away from and answer to its ruler, revealing the stone roads beneath it, guiding Lucien westward through his kingdom towards the borders of his lands.
