39

The King, The Queen and a Fairy Prince.

Eluna and Trisha take their seats to the right of the Queen. Trisha’s eyes do not leave Slyfer, her heart is beating fast! Worried he may hate her, despise her after just leaving, but she had to do it, she had no choice. “If he still accepts me, after tonight everything will change.”

Slyfer can feel her looking at him, but there is no way he is going to give in to the Queen’s stare. His pride won’t allow it, but most of all the dragons won’t allow it. She rests a fair and soft hand under her chin. “You think yourself my equal?”

Slyfer smiles and sits forward, also resting his chin on his hands. His voice is nearly a whisper, but everyone can hear as he replies in a scathing tone. “I do not think of you as my equal. You are below me, a snake that does not even deserve to be stepped on.”

The Queen and everyone around freeze as if time has stopped. The air starts to grow colder as magic gathers toward the Queen like a tide. She does not raise her voice; showing complete control of her emotions when she speaks, however, her voice is laced with poison. “What stops me from taking your head, right here, right now? You disrespect me at my own banquet, a mere child?”

Slyfer’s smile disappears and his eyes, along with Fira’s hair go red. His voice deepens as not only he, but the dragons inside him speak sending shivers up the Queens spine. “Your banquet? We have never met such a conceited and hypocritical being as you. Tell me snake, why is it you keep this promise, yet you ignored the most important one of your insignificant existence?” Slyfer stands up and the torches start to darken in the tent as if the very light is being stolen out of the air. The table creaks and cracks under his weight as he leans forward on his hands toward her.

He did not think it would go this far and was preparing for an enjoyable feast, but upon seeing this woman and remembering her face as she swore the oaths, he is slowly losing control, the dragons are losing control and now it had started. The anger the hurt all mingled into one, right now Slyfer is not Slyfer. Right now Slyfer is a conduit of feelings and anger from the collection of the strongest beings that once rule this world!

Confusion and a little fear flits over the Queens face. Slyfer sees it and wants to spit at her in disgust. “You don’t remember?” Slyfer looks at the King of the dark elves. “What about you, do you remember? Filthy oath breakers let me remind you.” Slyfer spreads his arms and starts to speak the old language, the dragon language. His words are filled with power, conviction and most of all hurt. “To uphold the peace and protect the weak. To respect all races, cultures and creeds. I swear to the sky and the earth, my blood and my hearth. To uphold this oath and come when summoned, when the lord of dragons requires it.”

Slyfer drops his hands and looks at the now pale faced King and Queen. “You disgust me.” Slyfer turns to leave for fear of changing right there and tearing them apart. Aldowin grabs his hand, his voice is a whisper. “You have said your say, now let it go. Remember what is at stake and let it go.”

Slyfer takes a shuddering breath, to calm him-self. Despite what he thinks or feels, he needs these people. His race only has six left including him. He needs them and that is what stops him.

Fira wipes at her cheek, through her connection to him she feels his hurt and pain. “I never knew he carries this burden.” She had always only seen his strong side. He looked unshakeable, untouchable and yet he carries this pain. If there was no one else around she would throw herself into his arms.

Her hair turns back to normal as Slyfer takes a seat. Grey king who had sensed something was wrong also lies back down. If anything were to happen he would support his friend to the end! The Golden haired girl starts to rub his back on instinct. It comforts Slyfer a little and he smiles at her. It sends spikes of jealously through Fira and Trisha, both starts to stare daggers at her!

Vinx also flits down to sit on his shoulder, while glaring at the Queen who is still pale faced. Her daughter, who had at first been sure this would be the end of him, is staring dumbstruck at her mother. For the first time her mother has been silenced.

Clearing his throat Old Sun always the diplomat tries to recover something from the situation. “Well now that the introductions are over, let’s get to know each other better.” His nervous statement is met with silence. He sighs and tries again. “Despite whatever we may feel about each other, I am sure we all have valuable information to share. At least for this reason alone we can talk like civilized people, can we not?”

The Queen who has been in her own world, stirs as her eyes flicker. Her original cold and aloof composure returns in a second. Her voice is firm when replying. “You are right, I am still unsure as to what happened when Slyfer and my daughter met up. Not to mention some things we have encountered on our way here.”

King Great Hunter clears his throat. He gives Slyfer a withering stare before talking. “We have also encountered….. Difficulties which have proven Slyfer’s statements.”

An aloof eyebrow is raised at hearing the King next to her say these words. Slyfer is also a bit surprised at the King’s words. He did not expect that the King would back him up after what he said.

“What statements are these?” Asks Eluna, she knows but wants to confirm, after all she had chased Slyfer and Aldowin away and was still being punished for it. She is more interested than anyone about Slyfer and the circumstances surrounding him.

The Queen does not say anything. Realizing she does not intend to Great hunter clears his throat before he speaks. “We discovered traitors in our ranks. An old clan that had sold out to the West. We nearly caught them all, however, the clan leader got away.”

Snorting in derision the Queen looks at him with disdain. “As expected from your race.”

Slyfer can’t pass up the chance to discredit this woman even more. “And what of yours? Lookin disappeared long before the fight even started; I bet he is sitting on the council, representing your race as he helps the black dragon gain more footing in the Capital even now, while we speak. Not only that the humans have developed weapons that don’t need magic and can fire projectiles at speeds normal beings will not be able to see. They have also found ways to deform people who have a talent for magic into nothing but mindless beasts.”

Slyfer gestures towards Luna who shrinks behind his back after all the gazes turn to her. “This girl is one of them. I am sure you have felt how the magic in her has been warped?”

The Queen’s eyes turn menacing as she looks at the girl before saying. “Then we must destroy it.”

Her eyes are forced towards Slyfer as killing intent starts to emanate from him. “Whoever touches her…. dies after becoming my toy.”

The King, Old Sun and Aldowin all swallow hard at hearing it. Slyfer is still busy with his other toy. The screams have gone quiet, but Old Sun who had asked for reports on it. Heard the human was now whimpering constantly. Slyfer had covered its hands and feet with leather and tied it to its body. Since the human was trying to bite and scratch himself, wishing to die any way it could.

The Queen’s brows furrow. Slyfer had already disrespected her and even though what he said was true. She still felt anger over it. Now he had threatened her and everyone here openly. “You push my patience boy.”

Slyfer smirks not caring what she said, not sparing her a glance, he turns to the rest. “While the humans have been preparing and constantly improving, what have you been doing? While the humans have been hunting their OWN people that have magic, while tightening the grip in the last city that may or may not be our last hope in defending the East….what have you been doing?”

His question makes everyone feel uncomfortable. It only angers the Queen more! “You sound like you know what war is like, have you got any idea what its like to lose loved ones, to watch them die! You are naïve and craving for glory, yet you know not at what cost it would be. So shu-“

To Slyfer’s surprise its Fira that interrupts the Queen. Her voice is filled with sorrow and her cheeks still a bit wet as more tears have started to stream down. The reason for it is Malgrobin’s memories that started playing through his mind as soon as the Elf Queen asked the question. “He knows, he knows what it’s like to lose people.”

Before the Queen can ask the King pipes in. “My daughter and the boy share a spiritual connection of some kind, she can somehow feel what he does.”

Trisha hearing this gasps audibly drawing their attention. Slyfer’s eyes lock onto her, but this time he does not look away. Her dark hair has been tied in a bundle next to her head with a big flower that is made out of gold. Her ears right now are pointed forward, which makes the sadness on her face all the more obvious as she looks at her fingers that are fiddling with something nervously.

She looks up right into Slyfer’s eyes, making him catch his breath. Her eyes stand out the most since make up has been added. A dark line runs from her right eyelid to form a pretty pattern on her cheek. A gold dust substance has been added to her eyelids, which stands out against her tanned skin.

Slyfer’s eyes can’t help but wonder between her eyes and lips. This gives her hope that he does not completely hate her. Trisha is the one that breaks the connection first sensing that too many people are looking at them. “I need to talk to him alone; I need to tell him of my plans….no of our plans.”

An awkward silence settles over the table. The same elf who had announced the Queen makes his way to the podium and thankfully breaks the silence. “Lords and Ladies, may I present Lady Sasha Shaman of the tiger tribe, the representative of their race!”

These words bring shock to everyone. Slyfer stands up this time and turns to look at the entrance. A woman that looks like a high elf enters, only her skin is darker. Slyfer can’t help but look between her and Trisha. “Is that her mother?” before he can figure out three huge tigers follow the woman into the tent, Dark Elves reach for weapons that aren’t there, causing the high elves to smirk at them.

Slyfer’s gaze travels to the Tiger in the centre, like grey main it has a gold ring in its fur that surrounds its neck. The stripes also look different, almost like words that can’t quite be made out. The tiger is nearly twice the size of Grey King. The woman breaks off from them and heads towards the table, taking a seat next to Trisha. The tiger, true to their nature plonk down and stretch out lazily on the white side of the tarp.

Grey King is left looking at them carefully; however, Slyfer’s friend shows no fear. His eyes are already looking for weaknesses or something he can exploit. Slyfer sits down when the woman does and to his surprise, some of the fairies fly directly to her.

He does not know what they are saying, but they will be sure to tell him. Slyfer suddenly feels like something is missing. He jumps up again when he realizes what it is. “Luna, where is Luna!” He spots her. The girl is on all fours creeping towards the tigers!

His muscles surge, and start to bulge with power in them as he prepares to jump and grab her before she does something stupid! A voice in his head stops him. “There is no need, they will not harm her.” Slyfer follows the link to find the Shaman looking at him with curiosity. He takes another look at Luna, not willing to trust a stranger.

Everyone else that has seen the strange actions of the girl, hold their breath as she draws closer without making a sound. She suddenly crouches low, like a hunter before it strikes. She launches! Slyfer nearly jumps after her, but what happens next surprises him. The tiger with the gold in its fur turns around to catch her and the two start to play!

Slyfer lets out a breath and relaxes his fingers that were curled into fists. Feeling a bit guilty he responds to the Shaman. “I apologize, I…-“

“No need for apologies, you were right to be worried, I would be to.” Slyfer sits down, nodding at the woman.

The Queen smirks at him, as if saying. “You can’t even take care of your pet?”

Slyfer ignores her again, something that angers her more than if he were to say something. After the chatter dies down the elf on the podium speaks again. “Drinks will now be served to those not sitting at the main table; you may now get your refreshments that you brought!” The dark elf warriors hoot at this, while the high elves only look at them as if they are monkeys in a zoo.

The King shakes his head slightly, but he soon stops. “My people may seem less refined, but it’s because they are allowed to live with more freedom then hers.” He also feels his throat a bit dry and nearly starts to hoot with his warriors when the drink arrives.

The Queen looks at her people and then at his. At first she feels satisfied, but after a while the chatter and laughter on the dark elf side soon overshadows the almost complete silence on the high elf side. She turns to see Aldowin looking at her as if he knows what she is thinking. It irks her and she turns away only to see Slyfer who is talking to Old Sun, with a faint smile on his face.

Old Sun laughs and pats him on the shoulder. She looks over to her daughter, who has not touched her glass. She wants to talk to her but finds that she cant think of anything to say. Deciding against saying anything she turns back to the King who is talking openly with his daughter. She decides to listen in.

The King sounds happy and his voice rises boisterously. “You brother is almost completely healed and he may be attending later.” Fira gives a surprised look that soon turns into guilt. She had only gone to see him once.

She smiles awkwardly at the news. She hasn’t forgotten what transpired between them. Seeing her reaction the King lowers his voice. “You know he was not himself, when…..when everything happened. He as explained as best he could, but I know he feels guilty for hurting you.”

Fira only nods, not wanting to have this conversation now. Big ears twitching and a smile spreading on her features, the Queen asks innocently. “Did you not have a son? Where could he be I wonder?”

Aldowin nearly bursts out laughing at his old Queen. In the corner of her eye, she sees him shake his head and turn away to speak to Vanya who is sitting next to Ban in the servant’s position. To the Queens surprise her sense picks up something strangely familiar about the girl that she can’t quite place.

After a while of drinking, the smell of food fills the tent and everyone’s mouths start to water. In the centre of the tent three large animals have been put on a spit. One is a pig like creature, but instead of four legs it has six. As two men turn the spit gradually another adds a sauce with a strong smell of spices. The everyone grows quieter as the time slowly passes.

When the Elf finally makes his way to the podium again everyone is hungry as wolves. The man looks at all the faces looking at him and draws magic towards him-self. “Dinner will now be-“

Cheers go up for finally hearing the food will be served. Once again the rowdiness is only from the the dark elf side. Food is brought to the main table first and as Slyfer looks over it his mouth starts to water. The dish consists of three large portions of soft glistening meat. He cuts a peace of and puts it in his mouth.

It seems to melt as soon as it touches his tongue. As he chews more taste fills his mouth as juice gets forced out of the soft meat. When he swallows a sweet aftertaste gets left behind. Moving on from the meat, the next bite he takes is from a strange yellow plant. It almost looks like flower only much, much thicker.

His teeth sink into it and his mouth is filled with a soft crunching sound, To his surprise a small crust is around the plant but the inside is extremely soft, which makes it feel like he is eating clouds! A tug on his sleeve reveals two silver eyes looking at him puppy like. He smiles and gives her a piece of meat. Instead of taking it she bites it directly from his hand.

Are soft lips wrap around his finger and she lightly sucks. The feeling sends shivers everywhere, making his hair stand on end! She closes her eyes and smiles, as happy as can be while she starts to chew. Slyfer clears his throat and takes another bite of his food, ignoring the two death stares from either side of him.

He starts to slowly think. “How am I going to control this situation? I have been feeding Luna on a daily basis since she eats like pig.” It’s not long before he feels another tug on his sleeve. He gives her another piece and it only causes the death stares to intensify!

Pudding arrives after dinner. It a crème like substance surrounded by crusty bread which has honey all over it. This he gives Luna to eat by herself. She takes a small tasting bite and hands it back. Thinking she does not want it, he takes. *Crunch!* As soon as she had given it back and it was in his hand she took a huge bite!

A shadow falls over the two of them along with an Icy air. Slyfer looks up to find Fira standing there. Despite all the light around her face is in dark shadow. She suddenly smiles, a smile that does not reach her eyes at all. Slyfer starts to get a bad feeling, but smiles back the corner of his mouth twitches a bit.

Fira looks at the girl. “You should not spoil her so much. It is unbecoming especially in the company of the people you are in.”

Slyfer wants to say he doesn’t care about the people, but the look Fira has makes him change his mind. He hands the pudding back to Luna who pouts. “Luna eat nicely now, be a good girl okay.” She does not like it; however, she starts to take small bites while looking at Fira.

After pudding is done the elf makes his way back to the podium and announces that the dancing will now begin. Slyfer cheers with the rest at this. The liking had built up for dancing, is no small matter. The song arrangement will be split between the dark elves and high elves. They will take turns playing song from their respective races.

“Since the high elves are the hosts they will have the honour of playing the first song.” Slyfer’s quickly looks around, but to his irritation he can’t see Jade anywhere. Its just as well, since the opening song is slow.

A high elf wearing a dress that almost looks like leaves intertwined sits down with harp. She throws her light blond hair over one shoulder and starts to sing while her fingers dance on the strings. Her voice gives Slyfer shivers and makes his mind drift to places he has never been.

Up beyond the bypass

Overgrown with weeds

Across the moor and thorny dale

The forgotten footpath leads

Ancient willows gnarled and bent

The metallic scent of rich decay

Through elder glade and mossy bank

The silent spirit makes its way

For where the briar is knotted hard

And elm and ash the old ways guard

There the spirit’s bower is found

Where starlight flecks the cold, cold ground.

Her voice ends and Slyfer is pulled back to the present. The tent is silent and no one speaks, it feels like if you were to speak it would be sacrilege. She makes her way from the stage only to be replaced by two dark elf males. One carries a large drum, while the other has a flute type of instrument that has strings spanning to his foot.

Also a slow song, but the beat of the drum makes one’s heart thrum. Followed by the strange noise of the flute instrument makes. Slyfer finds himself longing for home. The music speaks up a bit and the man holding the drum starts to sing in a deep voice that reverberates through your very soul. Dark elves start to stomp their feet along with the drum all with looks of longing on their faces.

Going home to the wasteland, going home to where the wild wolves howl

Where the raven feeds and it rains with ash, as the molten rivers flow

Going home to the wasteland, going home to where the village is wrapped in peace

To the broken hearth our sons covered in dirt for they had the privilege to play with ease.

Going home through the wild wood, when the evening shadows fall

Twinkling eyes from the woods, but the night ash covers all

As mountains rumble and the wolves sound their call

Old battles fought for the land, the old marks still covers the sand.

Where shield met sword and spear was brought, to protect our homes from thieves that roamed.

Going home to the wasteland, going home to where the wild wolves howl

Where the raven feeds and it rains with ash, as the molten rivers flow

Smell the fires of the mountains, smell the fires and know your home

Watch as they cast their shadow over lands less travelled

This is where we belong

Another song followed by absolute silence. Slyer can’t help but think of the flouting mountains. He is still busy in his own world when, the Shaman’s voice enters his mind. “Can we talk?”

He nods unconsciously, but soon answers realizing she may not be looking. “Yes we can, will this have to be a private conversation?”

Her voice returns amused. “Preferably yes, although Trisha will also be joining us. I imagine the two of you have a lot to talk about.”

Slyer swallows a bit nervous. “I didn’t plan on talking to her so, soon…. did I even plan on talking to her? What am I going to say, do I have anything to say?” He sighs, now or later what would the difference be, he just wishes he was more prepared, more well something. He looks at Luna, then turns his thoughts to the shaman. “Just have someone keep Luna busy, she is rather attached to me at the moment.”

“It is not a problem; she seems to have taken a liking to Shishka.” Knowing Slyfer won’t have an Idea of who it is she sends him an image of the tiger with the golden ring around its neck.

It is not long before Luna suddenly sits up and starts to luagh as she makes her way toward the tiger again. Slyfer stands up and makes his way to the outside, by now a few people are on the dance floor. Slyer looks them over and feels a little regret that he can’t join at the moment, but he knows the woman probably wants to talk about his plans for the tigers. Once again he feels a bit naive, since he did not plan on such an event, he never thought they would pop out like this. He only thought he had won Trisha over. “Maybe I have not won anything and that is what the woman wants to talk about? Am I willing to set the tigers free? No a deal is a deal and this is war, I can’t afford to even if I wanted to.”

Slyfer stops after a while of walking and leans back against a wagon that was used to transport goods to the tent. The night is quite cold in the plains and it causes his breath to form little wisps as he breathes. Laughter and music can be heard in the background from the tent. its mostly dark where he is standing now, except for the few fairies still hanging around him that are dancing with each other. Their flickering lights make him look almost otherworldly, he looks like a prince, the fairy prince.

He hears them long before he sees them, Trisha’s eyes reflect the fairy light, as she walks forward first while the shaman stays behind to give then privacy. Slyfer does not look at them his eyes are pointed at the moon. Without waiting he starts to talk in a longing tone. “Have you ever wondered whats beyond them? beyond the moons, beyond the stars? What are they, why are they there?”

Trisha replies with a equally longing voice. “I have not, ever since we met. When I look at the sky I think of you, you are the Sky prince after all.” She steps closer. Now that he is so near that she can smell him and almost feel the heat of his soul through his massive aura. She wants to bathe in it, even become a part of it.

His eyes turn to her, his voice can’t hide the surprise. “You thought of me? I don’t know if i should believe you after all, it was rather easy for you to leave.”

She steps closer nearly grabbing his hand, but decides not to in the end. “It wasn’t like that! Besides you did not wait long to move on. Fira and you sharing some sort of connection, and the blond girl?” Her arms cross and rub her shoulders her voice lowers, when she talks again. “How long was it before, you moved on, before you started to forget about me?”

This time Slyfer feels wronged. “I did not plan on any of it! Her brother tried to kill me and something happened. I can’t explain it, a part of me ate a part of his soul a part of his ancestors….I don’t know… I just don’t know what I am or what it means.” Slyer realizes he is about to explode and stops himself, the last thing he wants to do is share his burdens with anyone.

Unknown to them, a few fair distance from the tent stands a single silhouette in the dark. On his eye is a strange device that enlarges whatever he is looking at. His hand is made of metal and makes clicking clacking noises as he points forward. Two shadows join him. “My lord, do you think it is them?”

The man with the strange eye turns to the shadow his face scrounged up menacingly. When he speaks it sounds more like the croaking of a frog then a voice. “I do not think anything you imbecile, I know. They seem to be having a party. Their guard is low, the perfect time to attack and find our Lord’s fiance, remember kill everything except the girl. I do not care for that pig son, whatever he got, he deserved.”

The two shadows leave the lone silhouette that clicks and clacks as it moves. The strange eye enhances again as it scans over the huge tent. “Vermin, all of them….”

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Alright, hope you enjoyed the chap. I postponed the poll thing for a bit..... coz of reasons.

I did not forget that i promised two chaps this weekend, just got surprised when i found out I have to work! So been working and writing and drinking redbull (I still don't have any wings). Do not fear citizens if I cant complete the new chap tonight, I will post it tomorrow as soon as I get back from work. Once again I apologize.

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Thanks for reading and your support.

The cover pic is finally done. Let me know what you guys think.