A vision of Nix crept into his dream. She was walking bare foot in a green meadow full of wild flowers in a pale green gown and white apron, with her loose yellow hair blowing in a breeze. He begins to wonder if she is communicating from the afterlife. She always wore shoes for as long as he could remember. She smiles right at Alaric and strides away from him up a hill with large boulders at the top. He did not recognize the scenery. She sits upon one of the rocks and spreads out her dress. She had no scars or painted emblems on her skin he knew her to have. She finally addresses Alaric as he follows her to the crest of the hill.
“Be brave, my love. You can win the ruler to your side. You only need confidence to ask this favor on behalf of the Borderlands. Have faith that Iris knows what she is doing. She says you will discover how much strength resides within yourself. My hero Alaric, we have faith in you.” speaks Nix in an unusual voice. Nix fades and clouds surround our hero. Iris appears in the foggy atmosphere and holds his hand.
“I told you I love you. Do you feel better now? She will come back to you when she tires of the peaceful afterlife. I have foreseen it, my friend.” said Iris.
Alaric then awoke on his raft to Eurick crying. He fed and changed the infant, then swayed him as he sung a lullaby. Eurick gurgled and at last falls back to sleep. He slumbers into the morning as Alaric ties him to his back. He carries the boy around town looking for food. The kind-dock worker treated the warrior elf to a morning meal. He was intrigued by the odd coins he received from his gesture. The dock-worker inquired this elf’s purpose in Illium. Alaric explained that he is here to see the emperor. Overhearing the private conversation, several townspeople offered advice to bypass the officials and speak to the emperor directly. They agreed that few people bringing grievances actually view the emperor. Many they know, waited days to relay troubles to an official. One poor patron of the tavern sold his pack mule to Alaric so he may carry his belongings. He tied the mule to the dock. Soon, the eager villagers taught Alaric how to address the emperor if he gets through the guards. To the impoverished subjects, conversing with the emperor is no casual event. A few offered to go with him. He declined their offers. Alaric first learned to bow to his majesty. Emperor Olic and Empress Athena are addressed as Your Majesty, or Their Majesties. The Grand Prince Rychan and Grand Princess Sieva are addressed Your Gracious, Rychan’s wife resides elsewhere and Sieva’s husband died of plague. The other princes and princesses are addressed as Your Highness. They tell him the emperor and empress are bowed to, but to the other royalty, a nod of the head is enough of a greeting. Further, the royal person always speaks first and it is disrespectful to look at a royal person straight in the eye. Weapons are forbidden when meeting a royal person, except for the guards. Alaric thought this all was too much to remember. The emperor would certainly under stand an elf is not familiar to such regulations.
During the evening meal, Alaric listens to tales from the villagers of trying to see the emperor. One tried to sell his fine cloth to his majesty. He met with a seamstress of the household about ordering from the vendor. Another came from outside the city to report a flood and his people were starving. He saw an official who wrote plans to deliver food to the flooded area. Drainage ditches were also constructed to divert the waters away from the village. A third villager gave the most beneficial information saying he must convince the guards of the palace that His Majesty wants to see him in person. Therefore, greed and fear are most persuasive allies Alaric could fit into his speech to the guards. At that, Alaric sold his raft that he no longer needs to an adolescent human. He practiced bowing to His Majesty and speaking the word “Sire”. He practiced nodding to Their Gracious and Their Highnesses. One morning, he packs the mule with his Olin Mountain treasures and is off the see the emperor. With Eurick tied to his back, he waves an elf farewell to the tavern patrons who wish him luck. He guides the mule up towards the hill outside of the capital. A guard at the gate halts him to ask his business. Alaric stops the mule and introduces himself.
“I am Alaric the Brave of The Borderlands. I come to seek an alliance with Emperor Olic to defeat a gruesome enemy I can not defeat alone. I bring gifts for His Majesty for his patience in hearing what I have to say. I have coins for you if you allow me in.” The young man examines the coins.
“These are poor people’s coins, but I accept them.” chuckles the guard.
The young man guarding the gate surveys the decorated box and calls for another soldier to help lift the treasure chest behind the gate.
“Come this way, Alaric the Brave.” orders the guard.
The soldiers open the container to reveal coral, gold bracelets, Narva pearls, dried cherries, shiny iron daggers, and flasks of incense. One of the soldiers sneaks a dagger into his belt. Alaric observes them taking the decorated chest into large doors with metal bands streaming down the wood. He is guided around the stone walls to the rear of the palace where a wonderful garden is tended. Birds in cages, large cats tied to stakes in the ground, and fountains are also in this luscious courtyard. The guard leaves him alone saying someone will meet with him shortly. Alaric paces around the flower beds smelling the various fragrances and viewing all the different colors. Never in his dreams could he imagine such a place. A tiny puppy dog comes to Alaric and starts sniffing at him. He picks up the puppy and pets it as he rests along the edge of a fountain. A soft voice startles him to stand up and the puppy jumps down.
“You must be the elf here to see grandfather,” speaks a child, he was unsure the gender of.
“Yes I am, Sire,” said Alaric as he bowed not expecting a visit with a child at the height of Alaric’s shoulders.
“You are funny, elf,” giggles the child. “Tell me, master elf, what these red stone are.”
“They are cherries, Sire. You eat them.” responds Alaric as he pulls the berry apart and eats half. He gives the other half to the child. He then tosses the cherry stone in the air and it transforms into a bird.
“What do your friends call you, master elf?” inquires the child.
“How rude of me not to introduce myself. I am called Alaric the Brave, Sire, by all I know.” answers Alaric.
“And how rude of me not to state my position. I am Prince Rurick, named after the morning star god. My mother is the Grand Princess Sieva. All the servants and guests call me Your Gracious.” answers Prince Rurick.
“I have received a large education in titles and addresses. It is all quite confusing for a poor elf from a forest. Have this bird as a token of friendship between us, Your Gracious. It will send a message to anyone you wish.” offers our hero.
“Thank you, Alaric the Brave. Bird, tell my grandfather Olic that he must see this funny elf at once. I like him.” orders Rurick.
The bird flies up to a terrace where a dark figure hides in the shadow of a drape. It repeats the message to the figure and flies back to Prince Rurick. Alaric and Rurick are summoned into the throne room where all vital persons to the empire stand. They follow the guards down corridors and up spiral staircases into a large banquet hall. Breathing deeply, the dull musty air smells as if it never touched the light of day. Escape is not an option. Fear swells in his stomach tightening his throat. He clings to the hope of saving his people as he steps forward to face the emperor to discover his fate. An old man in fine cloth sits on a tall wooden throne. His crown is almost larger than his head. A middle aged woman with amazing red hair sits to the left of the old emperor. A man in dark clothes with dark auburn hair stands in front of a banner to the right of the thrown. A bearded man in green robes who holds a golden colored staff announces Alaric’s entrance.
“His Majesty, Emperor Olic welcomes the warrior Alaric the Brave to his throne to discuss an alliance with the Borderlands!”
Many wealthy looking humans stare at the elf coming forward to speak to the Emperor Olic. They linger down the walls in silence until one of the rich men speaks first.
“Why do you think His Majesty would ally himself with a lowly elf like yourself?’ demands the man.
“Yes. His Majesty has a peace treaty preventing his army from crossing the Temple of Eris, elf.” begs another. “He can not involve himself in Borderland disputes.”
Alaric ignores the questions and places his son’s basket on the stone cold floor. He met the eye of the emperor, who shifted his eyes away from him, and bowed.
“Greetings, Sire.” says Alaric.
Gasps of the bystanders are followed by whispers. The emperor waves his hand downward to calm the crowd. Not understanding the gesture, Alaric continues.
“I see my purpose is rejected by your subjects. May I have a moment to explain my position and how it directly affects your people? Indeed, it does.” finished Alaric.
“Please continue, Alaric the Brave. You have our attentions.” articulates Emperor Olic.
“A great evil has entered Blythe from Lotan. Chief Modred of Brightsburg has led his army with no regard to who is wounded or dead into Blythan towns Etonville, Rosewood Ravine, Alexandrial, and Medea. Your people hide from the carnage as their temples are destroyed and food supplies stolen. Lotan has crossed the Temple of Eris into your territory. These encroachers claim to annihilate nonhuman creatures, but have made war on humans as well. If you do nothing, they may reach your capital Illium someday. Your Majesty must take action against Lotan if you wish to keep Modred from your palace gates. All creatures and humans alike beg for your armies to cease the massacres. My son has neither mother nor grandparents. Please do not force this baby to suffer more tragic loss.” orates Alaric. Swelled in courage after his speech he gazes at the apathetic faces of the audience.
“You have the look of a warrior. Why don’t you creatures fight them yourselves?” begs the emperor with a smug expression waving his extended arm up and down.
“There is no one else to beg for aid. Yes I have many gifts, alas, the talent for strategy and experience to lead a grand army elude me. If The Borderland inhabitants could defeat them ourselves, I would not be here seeking an alliance, Sire.” answers Alaric.
The dark clothed man approaches the emperor and stutters out the messages he has received from his uncle in Alexandrial begging for help. His stutter was barely heard, but Alaric understood he gained one vote.
“And what talents do you possess young elf warrior?” asks Emperor Olic.
Alaric unsheathes his sword before any guards could react and thrusts it at the throne of the emperor, just above his crown.
“Now try to remove it, Sire.” confronts our hero meeting an unspoken challenge to his heroic stature.
Emperor Olic pulls on the hilt and his aides soon approach to tug at the sword in the throne. When they all exhaust themselves, Alaric comes to remove the sword and astonishment fills the hall. There is no hole where the sword had been. He further shows his magic tricks by transforming various objects. His Majesty’s magicians also perform tricks for the audience. Flustered at the loss of attention, Alaric aims his spell at the emperor and changes him into an ostrich. He claps his hands above his head and in a whirl of color he disappears. Eurick lying in his basket begins to cry. Women look at each other until the empress advances to the unusual infant. The ostrich flaps its wings in anger as his magicians trying and failing to undo the spell. As Empress Athena lifts Eurick’s basket, Alaric reappears. Startled, she nearly drops the weeping babe. Noticing his dramatic ploy working, our hero extends his hand to the ostrich and in a ray of light, Emperor Olic returns. Relieved, the magicians cease their magic powers.
“I have wizard powers, yes, but I can not fight an army alone. If I could have led the Borderlands in defense of our homes, I would have. And you would be hearing extraordinary tales of Alaric the Great.”
With that conclusion, His Majesty claims he will consider the proposal. Alaric is led out into a corridor by the man in dark clothes. The introduction servant had said he was Grand Prince Rychan. With dark coal eyes and a shiny diamond necklace covering his shoulders, Rychan stands just above Alaric’s height. Little Prince Rurick bounces around the pair cheering how war is beginning and he will fight in it. Rychan orders him to stop running around and behave like a prince. Otherwise, Rychan barely speaks with his stutter. Rurick is about 10 years of age with reddish hair and dark blue eyes setting off his lightly dusted freckled nose. He claims he is a great archer, sword fighter, and drives a chariot. He invites the elf to watch him practice in the afternoon. Alaric accepts. He settles down in the bed chamber offered. A servant is told to bring the elf’s belongings on the pack mule. Grand Princess Sieva, a young woman with her mother’s red hair, enters to bring the visitor refreshments. The cook was unaware what the Borderlands people eat, so he fixed tea, biscuits, and juicy melon scoops. She is most inquisitive of this elf visitor. She asks, on Rychan’s behalf, what kind of spell was used on his sword? He answers that he used an ownership enchantment. Her father was fortunate the sword did not fry his hand when he touched it. Alaric fills the human woman full of tales about his son, the forest he lives in, and the great Battle of Leesville. The afternoon meal is announced and Alaric joins the castle inhabitants in a great dining hall. Animal heads, banners, shields, weapons, and statues of heroes cover the smooth stone walls. A large fire sits in the center of the hall surrounded by four large wooden tables. Many beasts, fruits, berries, breads, vegetables, and flowers cover the tables. Servants serve the guests in ten courses of various foods. Alaric eats his fill and listens to the musicians serenade the royal household in the center of the hall. Athena inquires about her family living in Alexandrial. Alaric assures her that only defenseless villages surrounding the estate are being scorched, not a grand fortress her brother inherited. He is more likely dealing with starving refugees than the Brightsburg horseman.
Athena calmed her fears and gave the elf a coin with Emperor Olic likeness on it to buy milk for his son. Alaric weighed it with his hand and held another coin from the Borderlands to compare worth. Athena immediately recognized the face on the other coin as her father. She begged for the coin with her father’s face on it. Alaric decided to give Athena two coins for her kindness, one with her father on it and the other with Brightsburg’s lord. Instead of buying milk with the Illium coin, he stashed it inside his sacred pouch that held Nix’s hair cut when Alaric left Brightsburg after completing his apprenticeship. He asked a cook in the kitchen for milk and the women gladly gave him some without payment. After the meal, he joins Rurick outside in a meadow near the gardens. He demonstrates his chariot skills and riding of the released chariot horses. Alaric challenges the young prince to shoot arrows as he rides a horse. It is certainly a tricky accomplishment. Disappointed at his unsatisfactory performance with the arrows missing the targets, he challenges Alaric to do the same. He mounts a horse and amazes Rurick by not missing a single shot. He says the trick is remembering the moving target and adjust accordingly. Standing still, a target is easy to hit. Rurick and Alaric practice their sword fighting with each other. Rurick questions where the magic is in his sword. Alaric was fighting normally as far as the prince could tell. Alaric promises to show the lad his magic tricks later, he must rest. A servant and Rychan approach on horses claiming the lessons are over and Rurick must return for his reading and writing lessons with his tutor. Alaric mounts the horse with Rurick and suddenly, Rychan falls off in a shaking fit. The servant explains that His Gracious is cursed. A witch cast a curse upon the baby Rychan twenty-six years ago when she was not invited to the celebration. He stutters, quakes, and his fingers hold things in public because he can not straighten them. Rychan stops his seizure and the company ride back as if nothing happened.
Rurick changes the subject by pointing out the leather pelts drying in the sun as animals he shot in the woodlands outside the capital. As soon as Rurick repeats his lessons to his tutor, Grand Princess Sieva gives the elf visitor a tour of the palace. Her sisters and the maidservants are enamored with this strange creature desiring an alliance with their father. Princess Aphrodite is a grand horse mistress. She often drives her mother’s chariot when they travel. Princess Jocelyn is Prince Rurick’s tutor and the architect of the gardens. Princess Annica is quite the archer and sword fighter who married a general’s son. Alaric continues to see the princesses come and leave the palace in wonder if and when their father will send them to war. The following morning, Rychan’s wife, Grand Princess Anneth is summoned by her in-laws to attend ceremonies before Emperor Olic dispatches his army to fight Chief Modred. Olic sends word throughout the empire of the impending war.
“It has come to my attention that Lotans have invaded our territory. They have massacred and stolen from Blythan villages. I, Emperor Olic of Blythe, hereby revoke Goddess Gilda’s treaty with the Lotans and will send our people to war. Now, pray with me to Eris for victory. My wife, Empress Athena is appointed commander of the Blythan army. I also appoint my grandson Rurick to drive the chariot of our ally Alaric of Olin. I give him a gold handled dagger to protect our hero who fought bravely at the Battle of Leesville (Rurick rises to take possession of the dagger). May the gods grant us victory in the war to come.” announces Emperor Olic at the morning meal.
During the prayer to Eris, Alaric asked the chaos god Ryan for assistance. Soldier recruits arrive at the capital daily now. Then quietly, Eurick disappears. Alaric summons Elmo with a magical sea horse in the garden fountains. He gives Eurick to him to take to the Atlantis Mountains to be submerged in the Pool of Immortality and made immortal like his father. No one speaks of the strange child’s absence, but Alaric is sure people notice he is missing. In two days, Elmo returns with little Eurick complete with a magical crystal immortals possess. Many days later, Anneth arrives to the palace with a small girl around four or five years old named Kia. She has adopted the girl as her daughter when a soldier’s wife died at childbirth and he killed himself in grief. She named the girl Kia after the Rondan rain goddess. Kia has amber hair and eyes with a pale complexion. She wears pink and yellow gowns with lace trim instead of royal robes. Her hair is always styled with pearl and gold combs resembling a wreath. Alaric learns Anneth came from Ithaca to cement an alliance between Olic and King of Ithaca. Her gray blue eyes and flax colored hair with a soft flawless complexion contrast against the Blythans. After several children of hers died in infancy, she separated herself in a faraway castle on the outskirts of the Blythan Empire. Alaric thought she seemed unhappy performing her royal duties around the soldiers and temples. Visiting the Temple of Athena, Alaric noticed a strange large stone circle. It documented the seasons and days throughout the year. Empress Athena explained that it was a calendar the astrologers forged to keep track of the sun and moon time periods. It is divided into eighteen months, twenty days apiece, with extra days added to keep the calendar accurate with the seasons. Leaving the temple, he saw women fanning away heat with feathers tied to silver handles. He decides everything in the palace is as ornate as godly homes complete with polished silver mirrors he never seen before. He learned many Blythan gods and goddesses had different names from the Lotan holy beings, though some are the same as he knew them to be. Feasts follow god and goddess holy days, rather than the cycle of agriculture.
After a month, the gathered army had grown to near full strength to march out to Lotan. Alaric was given command of the cavalry. His position did not come without opposition. He bolts through the practice obstacle course the soldiers rode around. When one of his horse masters heckled the hero, he drew his sword and whacked the dull part on the back of the hecklers knees. Two soldiers remove him from the field. He ordered the humans to leave his command if they object to his leadership. There are many creatures in the Olin Mountains waiting for his return. After that day, only a few strayed to be under the leadership of Princess Aphrodite’s legion. The other horse masters follow Alaric through the training grounds. Like Rurick, they are amazed at his fighting skills. Alaric receives a message from Gilda promising a gift to aide in fighting the war. It will arrive as it begins. She includes a question as to why Elmo has postponed his wedding to Iceni until Alaric is able to attend it. Alaric responds to ask Elmo that question and thanks to the coming gift, he could use all the help he can get. Alaric also makes arrangements with Rychan and Anneth to care for baby Eurick while he is gone fighting the war. Rychan weeps in gratitude and little Kia likes to play with the creature. Anneth never really embraces the bundle of joy. Two months after Alaric’s arrival into Illium, the soldiers parade through the streets before leaving their homes for war. Prince Rurick was granted permission to drive Alaric’s chariot in the parade. Empress Athena and Princess Aphrodite ride ahead of them. Grand Princess Sieva and her new lover Lagash of the cavalry ride behind them. During the parade, Alaric raises his sword as they pass the inn the dock-worker took him to eat after he arrived. The patrons of the tavern shout praises to “Alaric the Great” and broke into song. Rurick was sure his grandmother turned her head back when she heard “Hail Athena” alter into “Hail Alaric”. He long remembered the “Ode to Alaric the Great”.
“Alaric came from Olinville
Killed dragons and griffins at his will
Saved his niece and met the moon
Have no fear, he will return soon
He buried his love under Aurora Falls
For revenge our hero stalls
He comes to ally with Emperor Olic
With his son he befriends Prince Rurick
Alaric the Great we sing our praise
Brings us victory in the coming days”
In a few days, they reach the estate of Myndia and make camp for the night. In the following weeks after leaving Illium, Athena’s army reaches Rosewood Ravine to the west of Etonville. The homes burnt to the ground, provide little shelter to the scarce villagers gathering wood for small autumn campfires. Children peek out at the army from the charred timbers of their homes. The adults stand aghast of this huge company of soldiers marching towards them. Empress Athena approaches a human woman with a bundle of reeds for kindling. The relieved adults of the village whisper to each other.
“You there, woman. Is this the work of Chief Modred? I am Empress Athena coming to defeat this Modred in Brightsburg.” inquires Athena. The woman curtsies to Her Majesty.
“Yes, Your Majesty. They came weeks before and we think they went on to Medea where Dragon’s Pass is. The elves and humans from Etonville have been by watching for their movements. Chieftess Daphne of Etonville will be most eager to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty.” answers the woman.
“I must see this Chieftess Daphne. My army must stay here. Is there food supplies nearby, woman?” asks Athena.
“Just our vegetables and animals. Chief Modred took our stored acorns and fruits. Chieftess Daphne left yesterday and likely stirs in the Victyrian Swamps with the ogres.” answers the woman.
“What is your name, woman?” begs Athena.
“Dalia, Your Majesty.” responds the woman.
“Well, Dalia. Do you know the castle of Alexandrial? My brother resides there and will tend to your needs. Tell him I sent you and give him my emblem banner (a red flag with a gold owl holding a green snake in its claws). We shall pay you for all your food you have here.” orders Her Majesty.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. You are kind. We know the castle Alexandrial. Your brother buys horses from us.” accepts Dalia.
Athena gives the villagers a small box of gold coins and the villagers grab their meager possessions. The army then digs up the vegetables and tends the animals. The Rosewood Ravine villagers bid farewell to the army and head west to Alexandrial. The army pitches tents and cleanses their horses. Leather boots and saddles are oiled and cleaned. Our hero Alaric guides Empress Athena northeast to the Victyrian Bogs. Alaric informs his new ally that the chieftess is addressed as “Your Holiness” if she wishes to make a good first impression. They are stopped by ogres patrolling the wetlands. Athena states her business of visiting with Chieftess Daphne. Athena is taken to Etonville while her guards stay behind with the ogres and water snakes. Alaric pursues various herbs to add to their vegetable soups. His troop is grateful of these herbs. After a day, Athena returns with Daphne. Alaric soon announces to his unit that they are departing at first light towards Aurora Falls to gather supplies. Athena’s army shall be routing through Dragon’s Pass with the guidance from Daphne. Rurick insists on driving Alaric’s chariot around the mountains. Alaric responds that he will be driving the wagon, for Alaric is riding a horse on the journey. The following morning, Alaric’s troop mounts their horses and ride to Aurora Falls. They march through Etonville above the suspicious eyes of the townspeople. Ogres stand aside to let them pass. The horsemen ride on another day to reach the edge of Sylvania. Burnt homes stand empty among flower beds and colorful stepping stones. Alaric found his iron sword he gave Hariem leaning against a willow tree trunk. He reached for it and heard a muffled scream. He peeked around the bark to find a man with bonded hands and a knapsack over his head. Alaric touched the sword again to hear another screech. Our hero walks over to Hariem and removes the knapsack.
“I knew it was you. I could feel you touching the sword.” said a relieved Hariem. “They took the werewolf cubs. I do not know where they are.”
“Come, my spy. Use the sword to find them.” answers Alaric.
He pulls up his friend and shows him the spell to find his cubs. “Ishta vou (means Love you).” Hariem follows the impulsive sword towards Leesville. Alaric guides his troop to the cave behind Aurora Falls filled with food, weapons, and armor. They met centaurs and fauns coming out of the forest dwelling. Upon viewing Alaric, they bow.
“Come my Olin neighbors, we will defeat Modred in Brightsburg. Gather your forces for we ride tonight.” orders Alaric.
Centaurs gallop away in a rush. Alaric then whistles for Kiko. The troop hears prancing hooves coming closer. Kiko appears above them standing on a ledge.
“Find Leander and tell him the war has started. I need my cousin with me.”
Kiko nods its head and is off. He next calls Kali and Oden. They come in no time from the tree tops to report that Chief Modred returned to Brightsburg through Dragon’s Pass when Chieftess Daphne blocked their backtracking to Leesville. They climbed over the mountains to raid the Blythan villages again. Alaric hides them in his pockets and leads his troop on to Brightsburg. They ride on through the ruins and bodies of Leesville. The Blythans had never seen a mermaid outside the ocean. Mermaids are often twice the size of elves, explains Alaric. The night campfire in the dense forest draws many inquisitive creatures. Sprites, fauns, elves, centaurs, and unicorns creep closer to their leader Alaric. While the soldiers sleep, Alaric stands guard and speaks to Hariem. He sends the werewolf north to report any reaction from the Lotan king after the impending battle. Hariem guides the stolen cubs back to Sylvania and departs. At daybreak, the beasts and riders continue on towards Brightsburg. They rest upon the foothills east of Brightsburg at nightfall. Kali and Oden report Athena and Daphne are coming. They will not attack until Alaric’s signal of fire on the roof of a home in Brightsburg. Alaric needs to retrieve Nix’s brother out of the line of attack first. He summons Elmo with his sea horse thrown into Otter Creek flowing straight through Brightsburg. The bridge over Otter Creek hides many sprites, fast asleep in the bushes. A day later, Athena’s army settles along Lake Nahuatl waiting for the signal from Brightsburg. The morning holds a fantastic sunrise to give Alaric hope of victory. He rides towards town on Kiko. He dismounts before entering the tent city surrounding Brightsburg. He lays a bundle of pansies on his mentor Cossus’s grave mound. He prays to his soul for forgiveness on what he is about to do to his village. The town has grown four times since he last saw it. The only humans awake at sunrise are slaves from Blythe and Kadacia. He passes the slave women washing clothing in the creek. They whisper in their own tongue to each other and sneak away to the brush on the other side of Otter Creek. He spots Elmo in the waves waiting for his guests.
He also spots the god Ryan sitting on a housetop. He questions if this means Ryan is here to aid or discourage him. He continues toward his brother-in-law’s home. He reaches the house of to hear his niece cry his arrival. His nephew Andan looks out from behind the house. Pippi runs out of the door to jump in Uncle Alaric’s arms. Andan also hugs him. Laeos and Marianna welcome the elf inside their kitchen. Alaric warns the family of the impending attack on the village. He learns the family has been under house arrest because Modred planned on killing his sister Nix. Laeos informs his brother-in-law that Modred and his cronies have stolen many of their things, they will pack quickly. Within minutes, knapsacks and a chest are ready for departure. Alaric leads them to the creek where Elmo emerges from the water. Andan cries over the goat, standing behind a fence, which was stolen from him. He begs his uncle to retrieve it for him. Alaric agrees and hands Pippi over to her mother. He grabs the goat at Chief Modred’s home and unties it without a sound. He carries the goat under his cloak to the creek where Andan jumps with joy. Laeos takes a final look at his peaceful home. Elmo takes the family wherever Laeos demands to go. The slaves watch them disappear from sight. Their hero turns to their hidden faces and tells them they are free. He spins around to eye the god Ryan still smirking on a thatch roof. He mounts Kiko and throws a night torch onto Modred’s roof as he rides away. It smolders and smokes to a bright flame alarming the village. Kiko darts in great speed to the Otter Creek Bridge to find the humans mounted on their horses. Centaurs are prepared to fight with the fauns and sprites are astride on unicorns. They edge towards Brightsburg from the east as Athena marches forth from the west. Just then, a large dragon drops in front of the cavaliers. Fearful of bad omens and death, the humans attack the creature. Alaric orders the men to cease and embraces Alexis dismounting from Jojo. Leander orders the sprites to continue charging and the twitching humans sleek away to race towards the town. Kiko follows Jojo as it takes Alaric and Alexis to Brightsburg. The villagers standing guard repel the invaders with a volley of arrows. The horsemen ride on to destroy Chief Modred’s forces. After the arrows cease to fly, do the horsemen leap over barricades and fences to swing at anything moving. Frightened children hide in their burning homes as the Blythans, centaurs, and sprites propel torches to most of the houses and tents. Athena comes to add confusion among Modred’s village. Jojo cries when hit with arrows and spits waves of fire to burn many cloaks. It sets roofs ablaze causing children and women to run out into the brush of the harvested fields. After the battle, his men regard him as Dracon, son of the dragon. He often wondered if this name was an honor or an insult.
The battle continued for hours before the last resistor clashed swords with a soldier. Alaric killed many Lotans. Alexis killed many Lotans. Leander and Kiko fought side by side. Rurick watched with the wagon supplies on top of a mound. As he approached what was left of Brightsburg, he questioned Alaric what the awful smell coming from the village was. Alaric informed the lad that is the smell of death he senses. The great army settled down from Lake Nahuatl to Brightsburg. Alani appears in the lake to deliver Lixi’s gift for Alaric’s war. He handed over a bronze chest plate for his uncle etched with a dragon emblem. Ryan appears behind Alaric and startles the elf.
“I can not decide if you are here to help or harm my efforts, Ryan.” states Alaric.
“How could I not help a disillusioned elf? I love chaos, Alaric. By the way, there is a surprise for you behind that barn.”
“You have a surprise for me?” asks Alaric wishing he could smack the grin off his face.
“Enjoy,” replies the god before disappearing again.
Alaric walks around the barn to find an infant crying in the arms of a woman. He turns the beauty over to pick the infant up and discovers Myra beaten the death. She must have knelt to protect her son and took all the blows. He calls Alexis over to view his first love for the last time. Alexis spits on her nightgown and turns away. Alaric introduces Treynor found in Myra’s arms, an ultimate revenge for his broken heart. Alexis refuses to follow the suggestion of taking this boy into his heart like a son. Alaric threatens to decide Treynor’s future if Alexis does not. After much consideration and Myra’s burial, they decided to give Treynor to Iris to ease her pain of lost loves. Alaric hands her a lock of hair he cut off Myra to give the boy when he grows up. Alaric knew when he used the hair to see what happened to his parents that Treynor will want nothing to do with him. Iris took the boy to her home after making him immortal. She raised him into adulthood when he succumbed to the spell of a siren and married the mermaid. Athena and Daphne soon divide the booty of Brightsburg. The cliff dwellers from Dragon’s Pass took what they could carry and slaves they could guard. Daphne had wagons packed with food and treasures to take back to Etonville. The women and children of Brightsburg were marched to Etonville also. The wounded war prisoners were carried to Alexandrial. Several of the children seeing their parents taken away walked to Alexandrial with them. Alaric finds a small child leprechaun hiding near a well while searching for milk to give Treynor. The boy slave insists on serving his heroic new master. The hero reluctantly agrees. Couriers are sent back to Illium on unicorns to gloat on the victory. Alaric said unicorns are the fastest creatures on earth.
Empress Athena marches on after securing the village. The Temples of Diana and Ishtar are made into a haven for the invaders’ wounded. The dead are buried in shallow graves on the outskirts of town. Brightsburg remained under Blythan control for many years. As war prisoners increased at Alexandrial, many were sold as slaves in this desolate economy. Few had any money after the drought, famine, and plague causing cheap prices for slaves. Many were sold to Kadacians and Rondans traveling through. Many of the older and wounded prisoners were set free to fend for themselves during the long war. Children were the prized slave prisoner since children are dependent on others to survive. After escaping the battle, many Brightsburg inhabitants returned to their homes. Some supported the horse messengers riding to Illium. No one is sure what happened to Chief Modred. It is rumored that Modred escaped and fled to Tenochtilan for assistance. Other rumors say he died in the attack of Brightsburg. Whatever happened to him, no one claimed to be Chief Modred when it was resettled. By the end of the Elf War, Brightsburg became a thriving community again. Athena’s next destination is the fortress of Dido to the north. Alaric remembers visiting the uptight community of humans on the way to the Black Forest. A witch failed at casting a spell on Lanie to take her spirit. He wonders how long a siege will take to invade the heavily armed fortress.
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