“Yes Dracon, I knew your great-grandfather very well.” interrupts The Wizard of his tale to the boys from Etonville. “He was an eager boy who grew up to be a stout leader. I saw his innocent eyes turn to ice and his warm, tender heart harden to stone. He was a loyal friend to those loyal to him, which is why he was both merciful and merciless to his enemies.”
Alaric informs Prince Rurick that the fortress Dido is always ready for a fight. Hearing the fall of Brightsburg from escaped villagers, the chief is ready to guard his village against Empress Athena’s army and her allies. This siege will last until the end of winter. Word has spread that Lotan King Nib has gathered a great army to protect his capital and a larger force to fight the firestorm of Athena. Little Viminaski, or Vim for short, serves his Master Alaric well. He polishes his boots, shines his armor, and feeds his unicorn Kiko. Rurick gains Kiko for a mount to send messages to Alexandrial and back. He learned quickly how fast they are and how protective of their riders unicorns can be. Upon one return to camp, he spoke of being attacked by jaguars (Blythan word for panthers). Kiko defended the prince courageously until the cats crawled away. He secretly told Alaric that he knows Kiko is a god when he revealed his true self to frighten off a gigantic snake guarding a nest of eggs she was laying. Rurick sleeps in Alaric’s tent since word spread of Grand Princess Sieva becoming pregnant and sent away to live in Illium. Her lover Lagash tried heartedly, to father unruly Rurick into discipline and impulse control. Then one night, an angry Rurick snuck into Alaric’s tent and slept in Alexis’s cot. Upon returning from guard duty, Alexis kicks him out of his bed and Rurick finishes sleeping on Alaric’s fur cape. A meeting with Athena was called and it was decided that Rurick shall join the leprechaun Vim in service to Alaric. Now, Rurick takes care of Alaric’s chariot and hides in it with Vim during sniper attacks.
Commander Leander left an impression on Rurick. This tall sprite with fair hair, white wings, and body armor of dragon scales seemed regal to Rurick. His golden sword needed little sharpening and polished shield reflected much sunlight. The sprites often rode upon unicorns as elves did. Sprites used to ride on griffins until the Mermaid War that banished them. Many years passed with friction between elves and sprites separated by the Aurora River. Alaric’s and Leander’s grandmother Toralyn changed all that when she married a sprite. Leander explains to Rurick that the dragon scales come from the reptiles shedding their skins. Golden swords are oiled with fairy dust potion. Sprites guard their bees and pet fairies from greedy fauns, panthers, and bushmaster snakes. Honey and beeswax are traded with elves, humans, and centaurs. Their clothes are made of snakeskin and mulberry decorated with colored unicorn hair. The underside of tree snakes is sought after to grasp tree limbs. They often train hawks, eagles, and falcons to hunt rabbits and squirrels for food as well as fur. Fur is used for blankets and winter clothing. Master potters store honey, acorns, and berries inside storage tree houses. To heat their tree homes they use central brick stoves to burn shale oil. Their writing system consists of clay ink on flattened paper bark. Rurick took in all this new culture had to offer. Leander often practices his sword fighting with Rurick and Vim. He must be careful not to swing too hard at these novices.
Winter sets in and the nights become colder. Hariem visits once a week to report the gossip and whereabouts of an impending army led by King Nib. As spring comes closer, Hariem and Elmo report King Nib of Lotan is coming over the horizon. He will arrive within three days. Hariem rests outside the camp with Alaric and Alexis. A full moon arises and Hariem transforms into his werewolf form. Rurick comes to announce the evening meal. He tumbles in fright at looking into the raving lunatic’s glare. Alaric waves his hand to make a leash appear around Hariem’s neck. Alexis takes Rurick back to camp to retrieve three meals. He points to the bloody lunar eclipse symbolizes the death of a ruler. Alexis also prevents the soldiers from attacking Hariem when Alaric allows the man to slumber in his tent. He placed an enchantment over the tent so that no human may pass. Without knowledge of a savior’s arrival, the Chief of Dido surrenders and opens the gates for Athena. Drought and famine weakened his forces to accept a treaty of tribute payments for protection from attack. Empress Athena stations Princess Aphrodite to guard the citadel with the chief and moves the army off course from King Nib’s forces. Princess Aphrodite takes on a Lotan wardrobe to disguise herself and her troops as Lotans who fought off the Blythan empress. Her soldiers help plant fields and act as shepherds to their flocks. King Nib arrives at Dido to hear of the victory peace treaty signed and sealed. Pleased at the chief’s leadership, he throws a banquet in his honor. The next morning brings a surprise for the king, even for Alaric. Iris in the form of a human woman appears with humans who left Lotan for Kadacia in the drought years. Proclaiming the return of his subjects, Nib is delighted at such good fortunes. He bids farewell to the fort occupants to receive a message of Empress Athena marching towards his capital. He rushes to defeat this invader in a grand battle he will not survive.
Banners flutter in the winds from Andos. Then a torrential rainfall halts the king from traveling further. During the following days, he finds the enemy sitting in a valley of the Dark Mountains with sprites high in the trees along the dale. Battle horns publicized the king’s charge into the army. Leander picks off many of the horsemen from the treetops as Hariem uses his magic sword to fend off the charging soldiers. Vim and Rurick hide in the foliage to find a scout discovering them. He charges at the youths in attempt to steal the chariot for His Majesty’s use. They dodge the swinging sword held by the scout. Then, as the soldier returned his mount to the chariot, Rurick bumps him off his horse with his sword. Fighting an enemy for the first time, Rurick defended himself well as Vim looks on. Another rider came forth and Vim killed his first man with an arrow shot through the man’s neck. Rurick nearly sliced in half falls in defeat to watch the man grunt in pain and collapse. Rurick then sees Vim and his shield positioned behind the scout’s boots. The boys tie up the living prisoner laying unconscious on the ground and run to get Alaric. The dragon Jojo comforts an exhausted Alaric sitting on a tree stump gazing upon a wounded Alexis. He gave his friend a potion to alleviate much of his pain. Rurick is reasonably shaken from nearly being killed. He was very frightened of the grown man killing him when he could not overpower him. Alaric explains that all heroes are scared when they are under attack. The fearful freeze and panic. The brave fight like jaguars to stay alive. Rurick looses confidence to have Alaric encourage him. Vim had the opposite response to the battle. He gained confidence and Rurick’s friendship. He often follows his hero Dracon like a lamb. Alaric later carried his friend Alexis to his tent and laid him to sleep. During the evening meal, Alaric finds a mournful Athena weeping over her daughter Aphrodite. She was cut through her armor with an arrow. Brave Aphrodite and Iris brought their troops sloshing through the mud during the horrible rainstorm to help fight Nib’s battle with Athena.
Another thunderstorm moves in during the night as the wounded soldiers sleep. The dead soldiers are buried in the muddy creek the next morning and a soldier from Dido identifies the remains of King Nib. Athena always treasured wearing the slain king’s brooch to hold her cape in place. Leander, who killed King Nib, received His Majesty’s helmet from Athena. The human Iris paid a visit to Alaric’s tent after the honor ceremony.
“Is it not strange that creatures of this world worship the gods, making offerings to gain their favor, and you have a goddess working hard to win your favor, Alaric.” observes Iris.
“You already have my favor, Iris. You are a trusted friend.” answers Alaric. “Thank you for bringing reinforcements for Athena.”
“I brought them for you,” says Iris. “I spoke with my aunt Isis about your beloved. She says that she and Maya have given their permission for Nix to return to life again, but Nix does not want to live in a world full of pain and sorrow. You must win this war and make peace again with the Lotans if you want Nix back.”
Word soon came to the Lotan capital of the king’s passing. The young man who was King Nib’s heir was quickly crowned the new king. He had just wed a princess and recently became a father. He rushed to the disorganized troops hiding in the Dark Mountains from Athena’s troops in Dido to lead them. His brother, who was married with a pregnant wife, took over as regent and protected the capital Tenochtilan. King Dylan marched his father’s army to the Plains of Julia north of the giant towns along the Opra River. Failing to win the giants to his cause, because giants don’t involve themselves with small human problems, he set the towns ablaze and killed all who resisted. Poor Ricky the Snakecharmer managed to survive the massacres and locked himself inside a cave along the Misty Creek that flows into the Opra River. Empress Athena marching to the Lotan capital missed the army of King Dylan now far north on the Plains of Julia. Alaric found his giant friend fetching water from the creek. Ricky was not glad to see Alaric.
“You destroyed my village. You killed my friends, my family, my life. Your war has hurt me more than anyone ever has. Go and never come back, Alaric.” orders Ricky.
“May I offer any explanation?” answers Alaric.
“I want to hear nothing from you, demon.” responds Ricky. He storms into his cave and moves a boulder to block the door. Infuriated, Alaric moves the boulder with his magic and marches into the dark cave.
“You are going to hear me out, whether you like it or not. Only then will I leave you in sorrow.” postured Alaric. “My village was burned, my village massacred, and my son was born by his dead mother. What was I to do, Ricky? Stand by and do nothing as more villages are raided. You dare presume I do not know your pain. Perhaps we should not be friends anymore. Have a nice life, Ricky, I know I’ll miss you.” finished Alaric with an elf gesture touching his forehead, nose tip, and extending his arm to his friend. The giant gave no response.
They continue northbound to attack the capital a month’s march ahead. In two days, scouts report the location of Dylan’s army on the grasslands. The soldiers clash in a great battle still recited in songs. Four long days, the Battle of Julia ensued. A group of Lotan horse masters drive a herd of deer into the encampment, enticing nearby felines. Later in retaliation, Alexis attracts a party of cats toward the Lotan army by having archers dip meat in blood, attach the pieces to arrows, and aim them toward the enemy camp. The large cats hurl themselves toward the bloody scent dripping from the meat and scared the humans into attacking the sharp claws of the jaguars. The whole human world learns of Alexis the Sky Fox from his slyness in strategy. After the four long days, Dylan retreated his forces northbound to impede an invasion of his capital. It took Athena four more years to reach the trophy city. During these years, Sieva had her baby and was married by proxy. Rychan stood in Lagash’s place during the marriage ceremony inside the walls of Illium. Athena stood in Sieva’s place in the other marriage ceremony inside the army encampment. Sieva and Lagash’s son was named Jonathan and betrothed to little Princess Kia. She spent much time at play with Eurick and Jonathan inside the castle of the emperor. In the third year of the war, Illium was attacked by Kadacian forces trying to expand its boundaries. The city remained unoccupied by foreign legions throughout the war. Grand Princess Sieva returns to assist her mother fight King Dylan soon after her son was born. She brings reinforcements for the army and food supplies from the Rondan colonies. Upon listening to the attack on Illium, Rurick downplays his uncle Rychan’s abilities to defend his home. Rurick further insults his cursed uncle in guessing the city will fall in a matter of days. He also spoke on the freak Eurick will be whipped into a slave. Outraged by Rurick’s haughty insolence, Alaric defends the man he left his son with.
“Your uncle Rychan is a good man. Just because he is cursed with an abnormality does not equate that he is incapable of defending his city. He is courageous and loyal to his father. I trust that he would never let his people suffer an invasion or allow Eurick pain of capture.” Rurick never again judged his uncle harshly, nor was rude about describing Eurick.
After many battles, Alaric routinely knelt upon the bloody grass. He lit incense and prayed to his ancestors. Many humans thought it strange not to pray to the gods under distress. Leander defended that those who pray to the gods and goddesses fear damnation by them. Those who feel damnation of unbearable misfortunes pray to their ancestors for relief from perilous agony. During the war, Athena gathered great support from creatures in the Borderlands in food supplies and soldiers. The creatures were placed under the leadership of Alexis, Alaric, and Leander. Lagash proved himself a worthy warrior and given Aphrodite’s legion after the Battle of Julia. Iris came and went visiting Alaric’s tent. She could also be found talking to Kiko feasting on the grass outside the camp. Under Alaric’s orders, the unicorn was never tied up. Rurick was granted the position of scout and courier to Illium. Kiko remained his mount during journeys to Illium. During scouting missions, Alexis would change into a horse to become his mount. As Prince Jonathan grew, he often met his brother Rurick by the guards’ gate. Jojo fought bravely under Alaric and torched many cloaks and wooden shields. Vim learned to fight and Alaric’s magic. He soon becomes a scout also when he learned to change forms. Our hero Alaric the Great gained a wide reputation of courage in battle as he gained scrapes and wounds. The herb from the Black Forest that a friendly faun gave him helped him recover strength after battles. Leander died of plague in the fourth year of the war. Alaric watched with a heavy heart as his sprite cousin died in his arms.
“Alaric, I can hear the banshees singing. They are so beautiful. Alaric, they are calling me home.” smiles Leander as his eyes brighten, then fade.
Hariem and Leander had become close friends during the war. In his mourning, he howled at the moon and wept for many days. Alaric places five stones in a circle to mark his cousin’s burial mound. When Vim saw Hariem howling at the moon and ran away into the creek bed to hide. Alaric chased him down and sheltered him with his shield when snipers fired arrows into the camp. Soon Hariem asked again for a potion to stop transforming into a werewolf. Many times he begged Alaric for this permanent transformation spell. Many times Alaric said no. This time he answers back to ask Kiko for a spell. This was a first that Hariem heard that Kiko is really a god. Kiko tells him to mix an herb to heal the pain of the transformations and teaches him how he can change into various animals at will. Hariem chooses to be a tree frog when he spies on Dylan’s forces. He never again changed into a werewolf, but into a wolf that raced through the grasslands to report to Alaric. Soon, humans no longer feared the scout Hariem. The werewolf cubs Hariem adopted remained in the care of Alaric’s sprite relatives and Alaric lost all touch with them. Alexis’s younger cousin Felix joined the legions after Leander’s death and remained under Alaric’s command. In battle, he gained experience and soon joined the array of messengers going back and forth to Etonville’s Chieftess Daphne. Felix later in the fifth year of the war joined Alaric’s cavalry. Being a dragon master came in handy when Alaric was wounded in the calf with a sword gash from a Lotan soldier. He earned a limp and needed a walking staff most of his life. Felix stood by often as a valet for the injured hero. Grand Princess Sieva became with child again and was sent back to Illium for a year. During the year, she trained Kia as a warrior as well as a mother. Rychan and Anneth governed Illium as Emperor Olic pursued holy interests in temples. Rychan raises Jonathan and his new brother Xerxes with Eurick and Kia. He fully enjoyed these years of partial fatherhood. The Rondans continued trading with the Blythan cities, also with Lotan and Kadacia. Princess Jocelyn transports poisonous plants to her mother to rub onto arrowheads. Princess Annica joins her mother during Sieva’s absence as an archer in the seventh year of the war as her husband was promoted to general of the palace guards.
The fifth year of the Elf War, Athena’s forces reached the Lotan capital Tenochtilan. Dylan’s army remained outside the capital harassing the invaders. Vim and Rurick are now full fledged warriors complete with new armor and decorated shields from the centaurs. The siege of Tenochtilan lasts two long years when King Dylan repels them towards Kadacia and the enchanted siren lake. In another year of hide and seek, Athena besieges Tenochtilan again for two years. This time, the brother of King Dylan emptied the city of its inhabitants and the soldiers stayed along the outer walls. The king’s brother fought well into the tenth year of the war. King Dylan drafts troops and forges for supplies from Rondan colonies. Sensing inevitable defeat, the king’s brother moves his guards out of the city under cover of darkness and frost. The next morning, Athena enters a barren city with little treasure. Flooded canals held no boats, for anything that could not be carried was burned by the fleeing soldiers. Appalled a the disarray and lack of supplies, not including the idea she would be entrapped here if Dylan’s forces revisit, Athena’s army leaves the city with a small force guarding it. The king returns sweeping through the deserted guards. Athena’s main force settles into at a village a short distance away enjoying the fruits of victory with the townspeople of Enlil to the south of the capital. Enlil is a village made from clay walls and straw rooftops. The fair villagers are all human since many half humans were expelled under threat of torture. The winter blizzards come and go while messages from Tenochtilan report no sign of the enemy returning to take back their capital.
Alaric discovers Rurick’s blossoming manhood at age 19 when he intrudes upon him in dalliance with a woman from Enlil inside his tent, then finding Vim at age 17 comfy in the town tavern so Rurick could be alone. Alaric offers a stern lecture on fatherhood and marriage to the young men. Rurick promptly fires back all the visits from Iris he receives. He also claims that he and Vim are not thinking of the future as they cuddle with Enlil’s female occupants. Alaric defends that he and Iris have a long standing friendship that does not change. Spring restored Lotan, Athena walks into a snare as she enters the capital thinking her guards she left behind were still there. Alaric realizes something is wrong and prevents Athena from crossing the bridge leading into the city. A soldier points to heads on pikes at the top of the city walls. Aware a surprise attack is coming, she rearranges her forces just as King Dylan’s soldiers attack from the embankments encircling the capital. Alaric met an unpleasant surprise pointing a drawn arrow at his head. He drew his own bow to recognize the archer.
“Laeos, is that you?” questions Alaric.
“Alaric? Am I dreaming?” responds the archer. The archer remains frozen in shock at the sight of his brother-in-law, never lowering the bow and arrow. Suddenly, a spear hits Laeos, hurled from behind Alaric and he rushes to his aid.
“Laeos, it is me. Alaric is here with you.” comforts Alaric the Great.
“Alaric, Alaric,” calls Laeos before passing out in Alaric’s arms.
The last battle around our hero, he carries Laeos back to Enlil. His dragon Jojo follows him out of the battle and gives his master a ride to the village tavern. The tavern keeper provides a bed for the wounded soldier. Alaric pays the keeper to heal his friend back to health. The tavern keeper’s wife tends Laeos amicably through his miserable injury. She recites tales of Lotan kings and local heroes with enthusiasm. Alaric comes by later to visit his brother-in-law. He informs him that the war will end soon. He shall pay a social call to King Dylan personally. Laeos wishes Alaric the Brave much fortune in his scheme. Our hero steps outside the midnight frigid streets and transforms into a wolf with a dragon pendant hanging from his neck. He trots to the encampment of King Dylan and plops down his tail in the frost at the presence of the king’s guard outside his tent. The confused guard bends down and removes the dragon pendant from the gray wolf. He slinks inside the tent and awakens the king. Alaric waits at the tent flap for the king’s arrival. He could hear the soldiers whisper his visit to his majesty.
“Sire, there is a wolf outside with Alaric the Great’s amulet.
Should we show it in?” asks the guard.
“Could this be a trick, Sire? He is a powerful wizard.” whispers another soldier.
“I will see what this creature wishes, show him in.” orders another voice. The guard returns to address the patient animal.
“His Majesty welcomes you Alaric the Great,” announces the guard.
Alaric the wolf enters the tent. In King Dylan’s attendance, Alaric transforms back into an elf. King Dylan sits on a stool behind a table wearing his sleepwear and hides his bare feet under a robe. He beckons the magician’s purpose here between yawns. Alaric addresses the issue of a truce between Lotan and Blythe.
“This war has been long enough and neither of you are winning it. Her majestic mind is unaware of my meeting with you. I fully intend to negotiate a peace treaty with you. I promise Empress Athena’s signature, she trusts my judgment a great deal.”
“And how do I know this is not a deception to get my surrender to your empress?” inquires Dylan slowly waking up.
“She is not my empress. She is my ally and friend. I swear this is not a sham to force you into surrendering. I have a nephew to vouch for my honesty.” responds Alaric.
A puff of smoke materializes and Elmo appears. This upsets the king’s advisor, Lord of the Lake.
“Elmo, how can you betray my allegiance to King Dylan?” begs the Lord of the Lake.
“Because I support my uncle in his grief,” answers Elmo.
“He is not your uncle,” the Lord of the Lake points out.
“If Alaric is not my uncle, then you are not my father. I owe you nothing, stepfather.” smoothly replies Elmo. Alaric interrupts.
“Now with that out of the way, may we speak on a truce?”
“Yes, Alaric the Great, we may negotiate a treaty. You bring your ally to the guard bridge and we can negotiate a truce. And you will do me a favor, Alaric the Great. I have a girl who needs a betrothal to a great suitor worthy of her stature. I appoint you guardian until she marries. Bring me my Boudicca, guards.” orders King Dylan. He addresses Alaric. “She has been hiding in the Kadacian Borderlands with the other residents some time now. Her and her mother slept in caves until my poor wife died of fever. She sought me out with my brother’s wife and stayed in an encampment where we mend the wounded. Before dawn, she will come.”
Elmo and Alaric remain in the king’s tent as he slumbers in peace. A call is heard proclaiming Boudicca’s entrance into the encampment. Alaric awakes sitting on a stool and transforms himself back into a wolf. Elmo guides the Lotan princess riding her horse to Enlil with Alaric following. Before any Blythan soldiers can spot them, Alaric transforms back to an elf and Elmo disappears. They arrive as the empress begins her morning meal. Mumbles are heard outside her tent wondering what this royal visitor is doing here.
“May I request who this girl is, Alaric?” summons Athena.
“Her Highness is the daughter of His Majesty King Dylan,” answers the traitor.
“Kidnap her, did we? You plan on ransoming her to gain a surrender from our enemy?” questions Her Majesty.
“No, I have betrayed you. I sought a truce before both armies are completely wiped out from this insanity of trying to take over Lotan. I am to seek a proper betrothal and be her guardian until her marriage.” responds Alaric. Alaric enters Athena’s tent with Boudicca.
“You villain. Have fought for ten agonizing years defeating King Dylan and you betray me now? How can you do this to a friend and ally?” begs Athena.
“You are not winning the war or defeating King Dylan, you are delaying peace. I tried to save you further damage to your reputation. I am sure your foe will cede land to get rid of you from his country.” responds her friend. Athena turns her back to Alaric and dismisses him.
“My friends, a truce has been reached! Let us celebrate!” shouts Alaric to the army.
As a gesture to prove his sincerity of a peace treaty, he dismisses the nonhumans and the allies of Athena. Alexis and Felix waste no time leaving for the Black Forest. Great joy is celebrated throughout Enlil and Tenochtilan. Music, drinking of wine, singing, and dancing is seen for a great distance. The next day, Empress Athena and King Dylan sit at a table in two chairs placed upon the entrance bridge of Tenochtilan. Dylan cedes land up to the northern giant towns on the Opra River. Alaric gained acceptance from Athena, Sieva, and Lagash to betroth Prince Xerxes to Princess Boudicca. King Dylan agrees to terms of a marriage. A great stone is carved in Lotan and Blythe of the peace terms and Boudicca is assigned a guest house in Illium as her home during the betrothal. King Dylan assures his daughter that he will visit her new home in two years time. When news of Emperor Olic’s death reaches Tenochtilan, bonfires are set to honor him. Athena weeps in her daughters’ arms. The next morning, Alaric discovers her sitting on a log next to a creek when he comes to wash his clothes. She confides that she had not slept all night. She wishes hard that his death is just a bad dream and she will awake to find him alive at home. Alaric tells her that there is never a good time to lose someone we love. He sympathizes with her from knowing her torn emotions very well. Athena recites the tale of her brother taking her to Illium after she woke up a god in a well. Athena and her brother stayed at an inn before going to the palace. Anyone looking wealthy is allowed in to attend court, where the upper classes chat with each other in the throne room. During a meal she attended, she managed to charm the Grand Prince Olic and married him a year later. She fondly
recalled Empress Cherilyn. She doted on her grandchildren until the day of her death. She thought Olic appreciated Athena grieving his mother Cherilyn’s death as much as he. To him, his mother was a goddess who showered him with love.
Rurick comes to speak on sending his magical bird from Alaric to his grandfather. The bird returned to present a message from his grandfather. He says he is enjoying the afterlife and shall wait for his family there. Alaric changes the subject on how eager he is to see his son again. He will start an education in a couple of years. Athena thought it odd his schooling has not begun. Alaric explains that elves live four times as long as humans. They also grow four times as slow. Athena inquires how old Alaric is since he appears as a young man. He claims the age of forty-five. Shocked Athena declares many humans are dead by that age. To be older than fifty years of age is a gift. Olic reached the age of sixty last summer. Athena is fifty. In a day after the peace treaty is carved, Alaric receives an invitation to Elmo’s wedding. It will take place in the siren-infested lake his mother lives in. He responds that he is nervous about being unwelcome in his mother’s residence. His stepfather hates him with a vengeance. Elmo replies that Iris shall pick him up as he escorts Princess Boudicca to Illium. Alaric answers it will be pleasant to ride next to Iris. Empress Athena’s legions march back to Illium, many falling out of line to go home. Rurick rides ahead on Vim as a horse to spread the news of the truce. His brothers and Kia greet him at the palace gate and welcome him back home to stay. Riding through Dragon’s Pass, Alaric saw a reflective surface in the towering mountains. Thinking it was a communication from Iris, he followed the light. He found a dragon nest full of eggs and was squeezed by a giant serpent. Amazingly, the serpent evaporated as Alaric suffocated it. He did not know what spell vanquished the serpent, but glad at whomever cast it. It was Maya.
“You promised not to return to my caves, Alaric the Great,” spoke the goddess.
“I thought a ray of light reflecting up here was a message from Iris, so I followed it up the mountains. I am escorting a princess through the mountains. I am her guardian.” responds the hero.
“I am sorry, that beam was Echo checking dragon egg nests. She loves dragons dearly.” informs Maya. “So you are attending Elmo’s wedding with that vile fiend Iris.”
“Yes, your holiness. She is my loyal friend.” defends Alaric.
“Very interesting, indeed. Very well, I’ll send you back to your princess.” asserts Maya. In a flash of light from her hands, Alaric was transported to a ledge near Boudicca.
“Where did you go, my guardian?” questions Boudicca.
“I thought I spotted a message from a friend and found someone else, dear.” answers the hero.
At the edge of Medea to the south of Dragon’s Pass, the army made camp for the night. As the dusk grew near, Iris appeared with her chariot along the creek bed. Her chariot horses shine bright as if they were made of fire. The majestic trees bent towards the warm glow from the horses.
“Are you ready, Alaric?” begs Iris.
“One moment, I must announce my departure so they do not look for me.” answers Alaric.
He told Boudicca he would be back in a few days. She nods her head. Alaric then eagerly steps upon the platform of Iris’s chariot. She whips her horses and flies above the mountains. Alaric holds on tight with all his strength. Somewhere over the valley of the dragons, Alaric falls off when they hit a bump in the wind. He could hear Iris shouting at her horses.
“Evac como!” she commands.
Alaric was unsure what the phrase meant. She explained the next day that the command meant to run back. Soon, Alaric plops back into the chariot underneath him.
He kneels down as he clings to the railing around the inside of the vehicle. Iris’s gown flaps in his face as they ride on.
“Alaric! Look below you. It is the lake and the sirens are swimming about!” orders Iris.
Alaric peeks over the edge and views the lake from a great height. The mermaids were quite small. Closer they came to the lake and Alaric grips tight for the sudden impact. Whoosh into the lake the horses race to the fortress at the bottom. The chariot horses reach a cavern where the holy animals and vehicles are tended. Alaric rolls out from the back of the chariot onto the hard sand.
“That was the worst journey of my life,” Alaric comments to Iris.
Iris laughs at him. They are greeted by Elmo and Iceni. For a dead mermaid, he thought Iceni was breathtaking. The bride blushes at the flattery.
“I am so glad you are here, uncle. I waited ten years for this day.” Elmo greets his hero. Alaric and Iris enter the great hall where the other godly guests congregate.
“Father!” hollers out the young child Eurick. Alaric’s heart stopped.
“Eurick, you are so big from when I saw you last.” whispers Alaric to his son.
He picks up his son and embraces his sisters. Lanie and Alani rush to his side. Toralyn and Max are introduced. Gilda proudly informs her brother that Max starts his tutoring soon with Daxus. In a moment, the wedding ceremony commences. Alaric sits beside Iris. Music begins to play. Elmo’s half-siblings, including Lanie and Alani, pace ahead of Elmo. His parents and stepparents sit in the audience because of much confliction from Elmo’s possessive mother. He agreed to have the ceremony in her castle if Elmo chose the wedding parade participants. His bride Iceni arrives alone with a bouquet of eels and sea snakes. The great god Alano conducts the ceremony. He blesses the couple and sprinkles faerie dust on them. Music goddess Callisto gives a concert of joyous tunes. Shells are offered to the love goddess Ishtar. Then the vows of loyalty are spoken.
“I Elmo of Itheram, take in marriage Iceni of the Happy Sea. I shall provide love, security, comfort, hope, and happiness for my wife forever.”
“I Iceni of the Happy Sea, take in marriage Elmo of Itheram. I shall provide love, security, comfort, hope, and happiness for my husband forever.”
“Forever is an enormous commitment. I seal this marriage in the presence of all these witnesses. I present to you the married couple, sailor god Elmo and mermaid goddess Iceni.” announces Alano.
The marriage contract is read to the guests. At the sealing of the marriage bond, the couple departs down the aisle to the reception tables. Music plays most of the night. Several times between songs does Callisto exchange musicians to give the exhausted servants rest. Iris and Alaric dance together as a couple in love. As Alaric selects from the banquet tables, he runs into an admirer. A little goddess stares up at him in awe to ask why he is here, he fights in a war. He explains to the child that the war is over and his beloved nephew invited him to his wedding. He awaits for another question wondering how this girl knows so much about him. She walks away to the crowd and Alaric continues lusting over the good food. He hears the little girl’s voice asking someone behind him, “He does not know me.”
“He has not seen you since you were a baby,” answers an unfamiliar voice. The small goddess approaches Alaric from behind.
“My name is Amalia. I love you.” claims the small goddess.
Alaric shakes and drops his plate. He has not heard his mother’s name in years. Sensing the situation with Amalia is too awkward to handle, he runs down the hallways to escape Amalia’s screams of distress. Trembling in sweat, Alaric spots Iris following
him.
“Who was that?” asks Alaric.
“Just a goddess you do not need to worry yourself about,” responds Iris.
“Keeping secrets again, Iris. I suppose I will be cursing you a few years from now from your dirty little secret.” observes Alaric. Iris gazes down to the floor.
“She is the daughter of a goddess who worships you dearly and speaks well of you. That is all you need to know.” answers Iris.
“Oh, then she is your daughter. Get married to another sprite and not invite me to the celebration because I was occupied.” declares Alaric.
“Something like that,” finishes Iris. They return to the great hall to spy Amalia pointing to him and saying “Father”.
An unfamiliar face tells her that he can see Alaric coming. Iris and Alaric dance
again with the crowd. After a while, Alaric saddens because he can not share his joy of the war ending with Nix.
“It has been eternity since I have seen her, Iris. I ended the war for Nix. I wonder if she still wants to be my wife again.” confides Alaric.
“Why not ask Alani’s betrothed Manda for help seeing Nix in the afterlife?” questions Iris.
Alaric takes her advice and seeks out underworld goddess Manda. She pulls him aside and furnishes him a salve-covered shield to make himself invisible to the demons. He learns to trap Nix into a magical mirror also provided by Manda. Through a large looking glass inside Manda’s guest bed chamber, Alaric enters the netherworld. The passageway to Roanoke is acutely silent. He meets his mentor Cossus in a tunnel. He is waiting to guide his grandson to the afterlife, Andan has been ill for days now. He points to the path of the human blissful afterlife. Alaric hides from several demons walking by. He finds he can not open the human gate to the afterlife. A soul floats to the gate and Alaric sneaks in after the human spirit without anything spying him. In the foothills of the dead, he reveals himself to Nix.
“Alaric, what are you doing her? I thought you were immortal.” squeals Nix in a peculiar voice.
“I was about to ask you the same question,” answers Alaric. Nix does not answer, but simply looks away. “I know it is beautiful here, but the living world is lovely too.”
“It is so peaceful here; no pain, no hungry, no sorrow.” Nix states.
“Have you no sorrow not being with me on Eartha?” questions Alaric. “And our son, Eurick.” Alaric shows a medallion of an etching of Eurick that Kynthia made for him.
“I am sorry for not communicating. I thought you would forget me and marry someone else in your grief.” responds Nix.
“I have always loved you and always will. I have been waiting for your return for ten years now.” declares Alaric. “I could stay here for eternity, but I do not belong here, Nix.”
“I do not wish to come back. Iris has been here informing me of your deeds in the war. I do not desire to die again. Once is awful enough.” claims Nix.
“And I thought you stopped loving me for some reason,” retorts Alaric.
Alaric coaxes Nix to chew an herb and jump into a magical mirror so he can take her back to the living world. He speaks the password to exit the gate allowing smoke to blow into the tunnels. The brightness of the afterlife golden hills made the demons flinch letting the immortal sneak by unnoticed. They leave to run into a demon suspicious of an immortal about. A demon upon a pony stalls Alaric from entering the siren lake. Another creature runs to the demon sitting upon a pony to squeal on seeing an immortal in the human afterlife. Alaric glides into another opened gate to avoid detection to encounter his parents. He drops the magic shield to embrace his beloved parents. He shows off his wife in the mirror. Reciting exciting tales of the war and how he made it end, the demons find Alaric. One demon claims he smells a mortal under Alaric’s cloak. He is taken to Roanoke and bows to Isis and Hato. He shows the magic mirror to declare Manda helped him capture his beloved.
“Nix has been granted permission to go to the surface, which she has declined many times. You may go Alaric, but Nix must change forms as the Cup of Hades demands.” resolves Goddess Isis.
“Keep her in your mirror, but she must return to the spirit world at each dawn. Farewell Alaric and Nix.”
Isis casts a ray of light and Alaric blinks to see Iris and Manda in a bed chamber. The looking glass he passed through is behind him.
“Alaric! Did you see Nix?” asks Iris.
“Sure I have her in the magic mirror,” started Alaric. He looked at the mirror to see Nix was gone.
“She must have returned to the human heaven. It’s dawn.” said Manda.
“Do not worry, she will come back at dusk into your mirror.” assures Iris. “Come to bed, you must be tired.”
Alaric sleeps most of the day. He arises to a fine banquet evening meal. He is starving and eats through the six courses of food. Many guests leave for home after the meal. The remaining guests play tag as animals. Alaric found himself being chased by Gilda in forms of a hawk, lizard, and frog. Alaric changed into a mouse, snail, snake,
and butterfly. Fatigued, the gods and goddesses retire to their bed chambers. Nix never appears to Alaric at nightfall. Depressed, Alaric feels comfort in Iris’s shoulder inside his bed chamber. He wallows in pity until Iris kisses his cheek in saying good night. For a reason Alaric could not explain later, he rips off her robes and gives her many kisses all over her body. She ruffles his hair as she kisses him back with unbelievable passion that Alaric never knew was there. His heart pounding, Alaric tosses Iris onto his bed. Holding her in ways he never had before, he was confused what to do next. He closed his eyes and pretended he was loving Nix again. Afterwards, she caresses his hair when he relaxes from his exhaustion from lust. She cuddles Alaric and wraps a sprite wing around him. She falls fast asleep in her friend’s arms. Alaric lays awake thinking about what he just did to Iris. How could he betray Nix? Iris awakes to notice Alaric slumped in a chair looking at her.
“Good morning. Did you sleep as well, Alaric?” asks Iris.
“No Iris. I did not sleep at all.” answers Alaric.
“Nix troubling you again. She never came, did she? Maybe it is time to let her go and devote yourself to someone else.” observes Iris.
“It is not that easy,” responds Alaric.
“Perhaps, Nix stays away because her fantasy of you fell apart when you married her. Her children died and you could not save them. You neglected your magical powers that amazed her. Maybe, the glitter of your heroics faded away and Nix did not like knowing the elf that you are. Then to add insult to injury, she sees how loyal I am
to you and triggers jealous feelings inside her because I accept your flaws that she never approved.”
“And just what are my flaws, Iris?” begs Alaric.
“You are unconfident, unwise, cautious, live like a mortal, and are treacherous.” answers Iris. “You had your mother’s magic mirror since she died ten years ago and you never figured out how to use it. The instructions are written right on the frame. Need I go on?” Iris rises from the bed.
“You are absolutely right, Iris. I thank you for being my concubine last night.” states Alaric. Iris smacks him across the cheek.
“Never call me that again if you intend on keeping my friendship. I will think twice before comforting you from missing Nix.” declares Iris.
“I apologize, Iris. I should not have said that. Will you show me how to use my mother’s mirror? I can not read these odd symbols.” Iris recites the spell on the wooden frame of the bronze mirror.
“Evac eorthe plaz desiro como,” which means run on Eartha where I want to go and back.
Alaric ran his fingers along the surface thinking of Athena. They should have made it close to Etonville by now. He felt a force pulling him into the mirror and Athena appears getting out of a bath.
“My husband’s funeral has not occurred yet and already you are peeping at me.” She steps out of the bath draping a long towel around her.
“I did not realize you would be in a bath when I arrived,” apologizes Alaric as he leaves the room.
Our hero is reunited with Boudicca and he is restored to his guardian position over her. The child seems glad to see him. Athena takes Alaric to the Temple of Ishtar in Etonville to introduce him to a delightful blind beggar. He came from the mountains at the beginning of the war and has been cared for by the villagers ever since. His face contains a large sword slash scar across his eyes, which is believed to cause his blindness. He often tells funny ancient stories to the village children. Athena thought he is very amusing as he recites tales of Alaric the Great as a boy playing war with twigs. Upon glancing at the poor soul sitting on the ground in front of the Temple of Ishtar, Alaric flew into a rage and slugged his dagger into the blind man.
“That is for Nix, you demon.” declares Alaric to the beggar moaning in pain. In a moment, he silenced. Alaric turned to gaze upon Athena’s stunned and horrified face.
“That was Modred, Athena.” speaks Alaric as he leaves a sadden Athena.
She sees to it the poor man has a proper burial. He gave the name Hector to all the inhabitants in Etonville, so that is how he was mourned. Alaric also made another decision about the leprechaun Vim’s future. He possessed a talent for devotion to the gods and goddesses. He inquired to Vim if he would like to study about becoming a priest. The High Priest of Etonville would welcome him into the temple. Vim thought about it for an afternoon and spoke with the High Priest. An education would profoundly benefit him in any occupation he chooses. Perhaps, someday he could be a high priest and serve a village too. Alaric gives his disciple a spell book and magic wand. Vim moves into the temple and learns all about the stars, prayers, and tales of the gods and goddesses. By the time the soldiers reach Illium in triumph, little Boudicca had grown accustomed to calling her guardian by his name. Boudicca, Alaric, and Eurick moved into a guest house inside the city. The Lotan princess had little knowledge of her guardian’s magic powers until she spied him teaching his son how to use his crystal. The magic mirror of Amalia hangs in Alaric’s bed chamber. One time did Nix come to visit as a ghost through Manda’s magic mirror. She never revealed herself to
Eurick. Eurick knew she was in the afterlife and Nix did not wish a great shock upon her child. Emperor Olic’s funeral came a day after the titanic parade of the return of the army in victory. Fifty pipers, drummers, harpists, and other exotic instruments started off the funeral procession. Horse guards rode in the parade after the musicians. Soldiers holding shields in front of them and spears at their side marched next. Children tossed
hundreds of flower petals in the street following the soldiers to the temple. The gold covered wood coffin carried on poles by ten men floated behind the flower children. The royal family paraded last. Alaric marched between Athena and Rurick. The High Priest
conducted the funeral at the Temple of Aphrodite. Musicians played with orphaned singers. Candles and torches circumscribed the room. The High Priest spoke the necessary prayers while the High Priestess burned incense. He blessed the fallen emperor’s soul and the family placed complete flower blooms on the coffin. It was carried into a holy place few people are allowed to wander around. A statue of the
emperor carved into the lid was placed upon the stone burial crypt. Carvings of holy persons and Blythan monarchy symbols decorated the crypt and lid.
The participants filed out to march back to the palace and a banquet was held. Many came to relate their condolences to the widow and the royal family. Alaric walked back to the guest house with Eurick and Boudicca. The following days are celebrated as Grand Prince Rychan will be crowned as King of the Conquered Lands and Grand Princess Anneth as Queen. Alaric overstepped his boundaries with Athena when he casually observed that she is reluctant to give up any power to her children and Rychan does not wish to make his mother unhappy. He concludes she must enjoy being The Empress. Athena points out that Rychan is incompetent to run the empire. Alaric declared that the incompetent ones may be those surrounding Rychan. Outraged at his accusation, Athena stormed away and refuses to speak to him. Alaric began plans for attending Alexis’s and Lanie’s wedding in the Black Forest. Eurick and Boudicca settle into the guest house in a short time. Servants are hardly necessary and Alexis’s cousin Felix comes into the service of Alaric. He is appointed to head the household seeing everything is painted, planted, and arranged into a comfortable residence as Alaric takes duties serving Athena as tutor for Rurick and Kia. Kynthia is invited to the guest house to paint murals of forests and grasslands to remind Alaric of his home. Based on Alaric’s description, she paints a portrait of Nix. When news reaches The Empress of Alaric’s departure, Athena lights up like a candle requesting many meals be spent with her and lavishes gifts of furniture and statues for the guest house.
Soon, in great pageantry, Rychan and Anneth are crowned monarchs. Parades, feasts, and balls are held for a week at least. Alaric mostly tends the abandoned gardens of his guest house and visits with Athena. He wears long human robes that trip his feet at the palace balls. He dances with Athena, Boudicca, and Sieva before retiring to Athena’s bed chamber. He concludes it is a good place to hide where he won’t be intruded upon. Grand Prince Rurick stops by often at Alaric’s guest house accommodations for horse rides and lessons he missed out on fighting a war since his childhood. In addition, Athena is working hard trying to find him a bride. Rurick unfortunately does not welcome these potential brides as eagerly as Athena does. He struggles to smile and briefly greets the eager maidens. At any party, he is often found giggling with several maidens clinging to his arms. As tutor, Alaric teaches mathematics
and oration for when he will be Emperor. He teaches Kia bargaining in the marketplace and history of Lotan before the Blythans settled along the coast. Atop of the turrets, Rurick practices speeches to the public and examines the stars patterns. Kia visits the poor sections of town and watches craftsmen work. On coronation day, King Rychan
and Queen Anneth declare the stone city Isis set in the foothills south of the Opra River the new capital of the Conquered Lands. He and Anneth will move into the stone viceroy’s castle when they are ready to travel. A grand parade takes the royal couple to the Temple of Athena. They are anointed with oil to bless the couple, burning incense
chokes them as prayers to wisdom goddess Athena are sung, a gold tipped staff is placed in Rychan’s right hand, and finally, crowns of gold placed on their heads. A small procession leads the new king out of Illium in his chariot. Anneth followed from a cart. Princess Kia stays behind to be tutored by Alaric, under Anneth’s insistence.
A month later, Rychan sends a letter of their new residence. He reports they did
not receive a warm welcome into Isis. A few Lotan children gave them summer flowers at the steps of their new home. The stony walls have been painted with Lotan godly figures and heroes. He included in his letter that Alaric was one of the painted heroes. Rychan’s first order was to erect a statue of Alaric in the town market place. He
appointed judicial and financial positions necessary to run his kingdom. Athena and Alaric get further acquainted as they ride horses along the outskirts of Illium where the peasants farm the land. Athena recently heard fascinating tales of an invention called an aqueduct. She requests the inventor submit plans for an aqueduct to bring water
across the dry prairie lands. Also, Athena has ordered the finishing of a great theater and arena that her husband started many years ago. Much of his limestone projects were halted from strong men being needed for fighting. In the half-completed theater, Alaric saw his first stage play. The building was magnificent with statues of gods and
goddesses. The circular platform had very colorful tiles on the floor. The dirt had to be brushed off the day before. Stone benches rose up toward the sky and divided into four arcs. The four aisles dividing the bleachers aided the performers in entering and exiting. Under the raised benches were dressing rooms where Athena met with the players. The play was about a tale of how the Blythans ended up in Lotan. Drums in the aisles pounded for the scene when the volcano explodes, destroying the island.
After the performance, Felix and Alaric agree on Athena exhibiting very strange behavior since her husband’s funeral. Recently, she has requested having a meal with Alaric at the guest house instead of her palace. She wishes to view the home since she
lavished so many objects to be displayed in it. He promises a grand tour when he returns from his best friend’s and niece’s wedding. He also responds that he is still getting accustomed to the robes he wears to fit in with Illium society and would seek pleasure in riding horses with Athena in his elf clothing. Athena agrees. As soon as they get Alexis’s and Lanie’s invitation, the household packs for their wedding. Eurick eagerly tells Boudicca of his relatives in the Black Forest. Intrigued, Boudicca begs Alaric to bring her with them. The little princess gets a lesson in mirror transportation. Felix, Alaric, Eurick, and Boudicca arrive at the Black Forest’s drawing room where the
wedding couple sits near the fireplace mirror hanging above the mantle.
No comments:
Post a Comment