Hey Guys

A chapter filled mostly with dialogue, but one that was needed in the plot.

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To show that my drawing skills are not too bad I have added an artwork I did recently for another scribble member.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A CHARACTER IN MY FIC

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43

Fulfilling Promises

After the funeral and speech the Dark Elf army immediately set out at a faster pace than normal, this continued for a week before leaders had to step in and slow down the army due to problems cropping up. Wolves and elves were starting to suffer from fatigue causing the combat ability to drastically drop.

Only after asking Slyfer to speak to the people did they finally slow down, however their drive to get to the capital still burned in their eyes. The people wanted the long trek to end, but even more than that they wanted to strike back at the beast. In this time Slyfer had started with what he promised. He was not only training Pathfinder who had finally been discharged from the medical tent, but also any other who wished to try their hand at magic. This also served to slow the army down considerably as more time was allocated to the training.

The Blood Pack was constantly out collecting the herb needed to test affinities. The fairies served as scouts, so finding it proved much easier then Slyfer first thought it would. In this week Jade also grew emotionally. The reason for it is simple; she had to in order to take over her father’s responsibilities. She had offered the position to Slyfer as was his right as the male heir, but he had declined saying the he could not belong to one faction, but needed to belong to all.

Slyfer is sitting in his now enormous tent compared to before, busy reviewing papers and documents pertaining to his responsibilities when Pathfinder enters the tent with a huge grin on his face. Luna who is sitting on the opposite side of the desk lifts her head and looks at him lazily, before returning to her original position. Slyfer’s eyebrow twitches. The girl had been sitting like that staring at him with bright eyes, ever since he had sat down.

Now and again a breeze would enter the tent and blow her flowing hair over along with her scent that makes his pupils dilate and his heart race. Ever since Vinx had been teaching her, she had grown increasingly smart and is now nearly fluent in two languages.

Pathfinder comes to a halt after looking at the two, he decides to ignore her and talks directly to Slyfer in an excited tone. “I did it, I finally did it!”

Slyfer looks up from his papers feeling annoyed and thankful for being drawn away from the tiresome work. Too lazy to ask what, he only looks at Pathfinder questioningly.

Pathfinder nearly jumps at the opportunity to display what he is so excited about. His face sets with concentration as his hand hovers over the ground. At first nothing happens, but the ground starts to move and a smooth, perfectly round pillar starts to rise toward his hand!

It stops at hip level for a second before Pathfinder lets out a gasp as sweat beads his brow. He finally gives up and stands back, however, the excitement in him still has not subsided. Slyfer stands up and walks over.

He leans down all the while Luna’s eyes follow his every movement. Slyfer’s eyes scrounge up in confusion before he says. “This isn’t earth magic. This is….” His finger taps the small pillar and a ringing sound enters the tent, “metal?”

Pathfinder nods vigorously. “I trained and trained the way you told me to and after two days discovered that I could feel the earth, only later did I discover that it was only certain parts of the earth that I could feel. I focused on it and this is how it turned out! What do you think? Its good right….right?”

To Slyfer’s surprise the dragons inside him are also very excited at the turn of events and they start to explain. –Earth mages of high levels naturally learn to strip certain minerals from the ground after years and years of training, but somehow this boy’s power is working in reverse.- Slyfer still fails to see the significance of it and the dragons roar at him in frustration before telling him how stupid he is. –Imagine being in a fight only to find your armour, sword anything metal has become your opponent’s weapons against you!-

Hearing this Slyfer’s face goes pale. It is indeed a scary thought; just thinking about the applications in battle is enough to make him shudder. The dragons then continue to enlighten him. –That is not all; imagine the applications outside of battle, what takes a blacksmith hours to make could be completed in mere seconds!-

Slyfer suddenly jumps up and grabs pathfinder by the shoulders. “This is great Pathfinder, I am very impressed. Slyfer looks back at the small pillar of gleaming steel and then back at Pathfinder. “You still need a lot of training though, but this ability can help out in many ways.”

Pathfinder’s face turns from anticipation into glee. For some reason he wants to prove himself to Slyfer more than anyone else. His face soon turns back to normal as he finally registers the word “training”. In truth he had been training ever since Slyfer tested his affinity a week ago and was looking forward to taking it a bit slower.

Slyfer looks back to his desk that has large amount of papers stacked on it, before his eyes return to Pathfinder with a strange gleam in them that gives the poor Prince the shivers. Slyfer walks past him towards the exit before stopping as if remembering something. He smiles before saying in an overly innocent voice. “I just thought of a way that you can train, follow me.”

Before pathfinder can say anything, Slyfer is already outside. He squints at the sun that is suddenly on his face, he pauses a moment in surprise at the huge change that has come over the camp. Slyfer’s tent is set far apart from the rest of the army, but is probably the safest. Everywhere he looks Tigers can be seen. Some are training with the rest of his clan, using almost the same method the Blood Pack had. From these warriors only the best will be chosen to bolster the Blood Pack ranks however in a whole the fighting strength of the clan is rising every day. Not far from his, is a tent with a green hawk on it.

Slyfer ponders if he should go visit Jade for a bit, but soon shoves the thought aside. He starts to move again and as he does, two wolves join him on the left, while two tigers join him on the right. He had objected plenty of times to this behaviour, but neither of the two groups would listen. The entourage only grows the further he walks until he is finally surrounded by so many he can barely see where he wants to go. Luna is lazing happily on the back of one of the tigers still looking at him. When Jade or Trisha is around she talks a lot, but as soon as those two are gone, she starts to behave this way.

Every time he talked to her she would only blush and look away, she has also stopped him from being present while she bathes. Slyfer had at first been happy about it, since it showed that she had become aware of her sexuality, but he kind of missed playing with the innocent girl.

Slyfer suddenly takes a turn to the left where loud ringing of metal on metal can be heard. Realisation starts to dawn on Pathfinder his shoulders slump. They come to a halt and as they do so too does the ringing. The blacksmith surprised at seeing so many beasts and people around him, stares in wonder and a little bit of fear while he desperately thinks on what he could have done wrong! A familiar heroic figure extricates himself from everyone, while towing a depressed Prince behind him.

The blacksmith does not know what to do and finally decides on bending a knee. Slyfer quickly helps him back up. “There is no need for that; I am not your King.”

The blacksmith only nods, in truth he would not react this way towards the King, but this is Slyfer! Rumours of his deeds and what he was doing for the people were all everyone could talk about. Slyfer points towards the Prince. “I believe you know the Prince?” The black smith nods. “I have brought him here to try his hand at your craft; he has learned magic that is very hard and unique, but still needs to develop it. I believe by helping you he can achieve better control of it.” While Slyfer is pretending to be righteous inside he is smirking. –I have received so many reports and complains from the other clans about wagons breaking down due to my speech and the speed of the march, having the Prince use his magic to fix my problems is only fair.-

Slyfer nearly starts to laugh, but stops and pretends it’s a cough. “I have received word that there are many wagons with broken axles, have him start there.” Slyfer slaps Pathfinder on the shoulder, pushing him forward. “Well, then….goodbye.”

Before pathfinder can object the crowd has already swallowed Slyfer and he is left standing with a blacksmith that has no idea what to do. How can he command a Prince around his shop! When the crowd disappears around a corner pathfinder swallows hard almost feeling his pride go down with the swallow and turns to the blacksmith. “Where do I start?”

It does not take long for Slyfer to get back to his tent, much to his dismay. Just thinking of all the issues he had to sort out brings on headaches. However after feeling a familiar and huge presence inside the headache only grows.

When he enters he catches two familiar women snooping around curiously. Before he can speak one turns around. She had sensed him long before he arrived. The High Elf Queen pretends to be aloof as she makes her way back to her chair. Slyfer ignores her and greets the other woman first. “Elyna, what a pleasant surprise.”

Elyna turns to him and nearly bows, but remembering the Queen is there she stops and manages a feint, “Hello.” Ever since finding out what Slyfer is, she had thought many times about her actions when she was with him. She mostly felt regret, but also happy that they were friends in a way. Slyfer turns to the Queen and can see veins popping out on her forehead; it is extreme bad manners to greet her subordinate before greeting her.

Without greeting or the normal decorum he slumps down into his chair behind his desk. Luna has also entered, but seeing the Queen she quickly leaves to go laze with the tigers outside. Slyfer’s eyes finally turn to the Queen, who by now is bristling with anger. “How can I help you?”

Her hands slowly unclench before her purple eyes settle on him. In them, he can see anger but also something else. “I have come here directly since you have failed to answer any of my summons.”

Slyfer points to the papers on the desk, which the Queen had been going through. “I am sure after going through my things you have discovered that I have been busy.”

Her eyes don’t falter and stay locked on his. “I would think that gaining me as an ally would take priority over petty problems and squabbles.”

This time Slyfer’s fists clench and his eyes start to get a feint tinge of red before he answers. “History has proven how “valuable” you view your allies.”

Elyna can’t help but gasp at the mental slap he just gave the Queen. To her surprise the Queen does not say or do anything at the affront. The tent is filled with an awkward silence before the Queen speaks again. “Elyna, leave us please.”

Elyna quickly gets up and exits. Slyfer raises an eyebrow. The Queen sits forward before starting to speak. “You have continually thrown my actions into my face, yet what do you know of command? What do you know of the responsibility I have held for nearly four thousand years? My choices reflect the love I have for my people and my responsibility to them. You are but a boy, but one who has gained power and now I am here to talk, do not be foolish and shove away a helping hand.”

Slyfer sits forward the red in his eyes growing more and more. “Reflect the love you have for your people? Tell me something Queen, why are we here, what has brought these people from their homes. What has brought you from yours?”

She smirks, “It is a stupid question and one you know the answer to.”

He shakes his head. “I do not, I know why the dark elves came, but I don’t know why you did. Is it fear?”

She stands up. “I fear nothing!”

Slyfer sits back and looks at her in contempt. “That is your problem, you fear nothing so you don’t see danger and in not seeing it you have not prepared for it. For years your people have stayed the same while the humans have done nothing but grow stronger. You fear nothing? Yet you abandoned your oath out of fear, you are as transparent as glass. Your motives cannot be hidden from me, your games won’t work. I know more about you then your precious people.”

Her mouth opens and then closes. “You are a mere boy!”

Slyfer starts to laugh. “Keep telling yourself that until its too late. What you need to realise is that you are not doing anyone a favour for being here, you are here because you need a way to survive, just like the rest that are here. You are not special; you are in the same boat as all the rest. Of course I know we need you, but until you accept the fact that you made a grave mistake when you abandoned the dragons and say so openly with a true and sincere heart, I cannot trust you.” A saying pops into Slyfers mind, he does not know where from in fact most of the things he has said has not been from his mind, but from the old ones inside him, how else could he wish to compete in a bout of words with a woman that is over four thousand years old?

The Queen once again can’t retaliate with words, she thought walking over Slyfer would be easy, after all his young age counted against him in this regard, yet now she has been bested and worse, she is questioning her convictions.

Slyfer utters a saying she had only once heard before. It shocks her to the core and tares the last bit of conviction she had into bits!

“I am who I am, you are who you are, but we can both change that, all it takes is the choice to make the change. It starts with admitting mistakes. Then following through by picking up, what can be picked up and finally making the decision to never make the same mistake again. After all repeating a mistake more than once, is a decision.”

She steps closer and Slyfer can see tears in her proud eyes. “Who are you?”

Slyfer does not answer for a while as he takes in her reaction; he had not expected it to be this big. After she asks again, he shrugs before answering. “I am a mere boy, but one who is striving to save a people who for the most part, do not want to save themselves. I am a mere boy, but one who has chosen to follow a path wrought with pain for the sake of others, who are too blind to see the danger coming at them in their chosen ignorance.”

She suddenly stands taller, regaining herself before walking away. She stops just before the exit and turns back halfway. “I will think on what you have said.” The last time she had heard that saying, was from a proud white dragon that had placed his trust in her….. And she utterly failed him.

Slyfer lets out a long sigh and starts to rub his hands through his hair, while looking at the papers on the desk. He just picks up his quill when a familiar loud voice enters his ears. The quill snaps in his fingers as irritation mounts.

The King barges into the tent. “You…. You have my son working as a blacksmith!”

Slyfer looks at the roof of the tent, not knowing if he should laugh or cry in frustration. “King great Hunter, just the person I needed!”

The King nearly jumps back at the words in surprise and gives Slyfer a look like you would give a snake that’s about to strike at you. Slyfer smiles broadly and makes his way around the table. “I am so happy that a man of your great wisdom has come.”

The King regains his domineering pose and adjusts his belt while nodding in satisfaction at the words. Fira had told Slyfer a very interesting story, that gave Slyfer an inkling of the man’s greatest weakness…. He loves to be praised!

Slyfer walks around the desk and gestures toward the King, “please come and sit, tell me what has upset our Great King so.” He shuffles around then walks closer, Fira appears behind him and looks at Slyfer a bit confused at his actions.

The King sits while Slyfer pores him some very, very strong wine. “The King accepts the glass and takes a big swig out of habit. He nearly starts to cough and object, but seeing Slyfer take a big gulp of his own, pride stops him from doing so. Slyfer looks at him expectantly. The King starts to talk and Slyfer takes the opportunity to refill his glass while he is distracted.

“Well Slyfer I came here to ask why you are forcing my son to work in a smithy?” Slyfer gestures for the King to drink while taking a sip of his own glass. The King blows out a breath after drinking the contents.

“Wise King, what kind of question is that? Did you not hear of the great and powerful skill your son has gained?” Slyfer refills the glasses again and smiles brilliantly.

The King is takes another sip and sits for a while before talking. “Oh, yes I heard from him when I went to stop the nonsense, but he would hear none of it and said that it is important.”

Slyfer nods vigorously while his hand tips again with the jug in it. “Well it is important, I cannot stretch how important. He has learned to gather small amounts of minerals from the ground, but now needs to learn how to perfectly manipulate it. If he does he would become powerful indeed.” Slyfer’s eyes sparkle as he sits forward and gestures at nowhere in particular. “Imagine your son dressed in full armour. Riding into battle, imagine everywhere he goes how his enemies fall dead at his feet because he crushed them with the very armour that was meant to protect them!” The Kings eyes glaze over as he looks at where Slyfer was pointing.

Slyfer puts a glass in the Kings hand and he drinks from it in thought. A satisfied smile is on the Kings lips, but Slyfers words draws him back. “Of course if you don’t approve I will tell him to stop and he can learn the long way that may take him years.”

This time the King holds the glass out voluntarily and Slyfer refills it all the while Fira is looking at Slyfer astounded. The King shakes his head while he swoons a little. “N, no he must learn and grow strong, I see the merit behind your method now.” He nearly topples over, but Slyfer keeps him upright.

“I am so glad you agree Great King, there is one more thing I would like to ask you about, a great man of your wisdom is the only one that can possibly help me.” Slyfer refills his glass and the King spills some while he drinks. Fira’s breath is nearly taken away by the strong smell of alcohol.

Slyfer gets up and fetches the papers on his desk. “I have been wracking my brain over all these papers, would you be able to help me?” the King has to squint and hold himself steady to read the contents.

“Hah, the great and powerful Slyfer is defeated by mere paperwork; I can sort this stuff out in my sleep!” Slyfer laughs with the King and then puts his hand on his shoulder.

“You are indeed as wise as I thought and I am utterly grateful that you are willing to help out.” The King nods and then as if realising something his brows draw down, but Slyfer has another glass under his nose. The King forgets to object as he drinks.

Slyfer stands up and helps the King to his feet. You don’t look so well, I will arrange for you to be taken to your tent. The King mumbles something, but Slyfer isn’t worried and quickly places the papers in the Kings hands. Please don’t forget the help you promised me. A Great King like you never forgets his promises, right?”

The King tries to talk, but only manages a few nods. They exit the tent and Slyfer quickly hands him over to his guards. They look between the two of them and shrug before heading off, it seems they have done this plenty of times before. Slyfer watches them go with a smile.

Fira finally speaks bringing SLyfer out of his triumphant gloat. “Well done, but I hope you know he won’t remember any of it tomorrow.”

Slyfer shrugs. “That’s why I have you as my most trusted witness.”

She frowns. “If you believe I will help you manipulate my father, you had better forget it.”

Slyfer’s smile sinks. “I am sorry I did not mean to offend you, I will fetch my papers tomorrow.” Guilt suddenly fills his heart; maybe he went a bit too far?

A glint enters Fira’s eyes. “Its fine I will help you this time, but don’t ever do it again. Also promise me something.”

Slyfer looks at her questioningly, she stands a bit closer and her voice turns into a whisper. “Go hunting with me tomorrow, you know in our real forms. I haven’t hunted in a while.”

Slyfer ponders the question, but his guilt makes him agree. The sad and angry look suddenly disappears from Fira’s face and she quickly leaves.

Inside Slyfer’s mind a female dragon is laughing. –You fell for it, even after everything I taught you.-

Slyfer mentally questions her and after another bout of loud laughter she says. – She got you right in the kokoro, the manipulator got manipulated.-

Then it dawns on him….

He swears and thinks back on the last week. First he had gone and shown his true form to the tigers, the tigers then bowed in acceptance and promised their loyalty as long as Slyfer worked to achieve their goals. Trisha’s mother was the one most affected. She had mumbled things for the following two days.

After that his triumph seemed to only bring trouble. Nobles came to meet him continuously and he was somehow roped into more responsibility. Keenly aware of his weakness to politics he asked for help and the one who helped him with his…. Female issues was more than happy to do the same.

His teachings are still far from over and it seems he has been outwitted by Fira. Slyfer sighs, wondering what Fira is planning. He had told her that if she could not follow him, they could not be together. Little does he know the sway he has over the Dark Elves has convinced her that whether or not she follows him, her people will. Especially after he is now starting to train them in magic and giving back to them something which has been taken; pride, power and above all unity!

It was neither his plan nor his aim to gain more sway with them. It just happened because of his actions. There are still some who resist it though, but with the help of the female dragon he is working on counter measures for this.

He is busy contemplating these problematic people when Aldowin enters followed by Vanya who has been sticking close to his side. Slyfer greets his master respectfully, before taking his own seat tiredly. Aldowin sees this and can’t help but chuckle. “Is the “glory” of being trusted and loved by the people already getting to you?”

Slyfer snort before he replies. “Glory? I wish for the serene, quiet and slow running river in front of our home every day now. I often I find myself daydreaming about those days where the most I had to worry about was Alric suddenly appearing.”

Vanya looks between the two confused as they talk of the floating valley. However talk soon returns to business. “Master any news of spies or the like?”

Aldowin shakes his head. “I have paid off everyone that can be paid off and planted many people loyal to us, if there are any spies they appear to be laying very low at the moment.” Aldowin is Slyfer’s “countermeasure” to these people that would stand against him and the High Elf is doing a terrific job at it.

SLyfer turns to Vanya his eyes searching as if she is hiding something. The look makes her feel uneasy and worried, but Aldowin is soon to protect her. “It would be folly to think Vanya is a traitor.”

Slyfer holds up his hand. “You know me better than anyone master, I don’t think she is a spy, but I believe the army that attacked us was in order to get her, when I jumped at the…strange man. He was uttering her name while looking at her.”

Vanya’s face goes pale if all those people died because of her….

Aldowin senses her distress and taps her shoulder. “Do not worry if they sent the army it means you are important to them for some reason and it was worth fighting them for it, besides they gave no opportunity to talk and just attacked. It was not your fault.”

Slyfer is not surprised at his Master’s words, but feels surprised at his attitude; he had never really been as caring with him as he was with this girl. In his mind he can’t help but laugh with the dragons as they call him a hatch-snatcher, something they called an old dragon going for another that is way younger.

Aldowin looks at Slyfer suspiciously, but says nothing. Soon after they start to discuss the progress of the troop that are training for the Blood Pack. They finally finish and the other two leave. Slyfer longingly looks at his bed, but as he has done for the last week he starts training his magic. Inside his consciousness thousands of lights that are not lights are flickering in and out of existence. It is normal, but something has changed. Different colors can now be seen!

The ones most noticeable are the red specks coming from fires all over the camp hear and there where large amouns of water is being kept, blue lights are faintly shining although they are so feint one would have to concentrate to notice.

To SLyfer’s surprise he had made more progress with water and fire, but wind continues to elude him. He can’t help but feel frustrated at his slow pace. His nose picks up something soft and sweet as warm breath falls on his cheek. His senses instantly focus back on him and with surprise opens his eyes.

Luna’s face is less then a finger’s width from his. When their eyes meet the girl does not move back and the two stare at each other for a few seconds. Slyfer breaks eye contact first and Luna leans closer biting her lip. She finally talks! “Why?”

Slyfer looks back at her confused. “Uuuh why, what?”

She leans even closer, “Why do I feel so strange when I am near you?”

Slyfer sits back, forced to lean on his arms. Luna does not allow him to escape and her knee rests between his legs as she comes ever closer. “I wish to try something Vinx told me about.”

Her eyes flicker to his lips and slowly make their eyes up to his again. Luna is already dressed in her sleeping garb, which consists of a light shift. Slyfer does not know where she got it, but it fails to hide her curves. He is trying his best not to give in to temptation, but Luna is not making things easier for him.

He manages to recover a bit and asks. “What did Vinx tell you?”

Luna’s head cocks to the side causing her smooth and long hair to cascade down her righe shoulder. “She told me of a kiss, something shared between people that have affection for each other. Is this strange feeling I have affection, I want to know?”

She bites her lip while looking at his again. This feeling has been bothering her ever since Vinx had told her about it. At first she had accepted Slyfer as her Alpha, her master, but after being taught that humans have no such thing she has been feeling confused. What is Slyfer if not her Alpha. Can she count herself as human? Even now she can feel the thing inside her wants to come out. Today when she saw the Queen and remembering what the High Elf called her, she felt it even more.

Dark Elves, High Elves she does not care who, all of them feel like life-stock, which is why she feels closer with the tigers and wolves. In her mind she has even set up a sort of hierarchy. Slyfer is at the very top, below him is Trisha. Even though Trisha handles her with care, Luna’s instinct can’t help but scream danger whenever she is around. Then there is of course the red head. She can’t place the woman, she also gives of danger, but it’s less then Trisha. In her mind she has already accepted them as her superiors.

She notices a little pain coming from her lip and realises she is biting too hard. Her body feels strange, hot and her heart is racing. Her enhanced hearing can hear Slyfer’s as well beating away powerfully, a sound she would fall asleep while listening to. She leans closer and the smell of SLyfer enters her sense. It drives her heart to beat even faster. –Is this affection, the thing called love….What is love?-

Slyfer’s eyes are slowly turning a deep purple, the affect it has on Luna is breath-taking and she breathes harder, more rushed. Her eyes settle on his lips and she leans down by now Slyfer has been forced to lay down in his failed attempt to get some personal space. She straddles him, the position makes her want to give out a carnal growl, but she keeps it in. Her nails grow longer, but then retract again.

Slyfer sees the changes in her as her pupils enlarge and gain a glow, making them look unnatural. A different scent starts to drift over to him, one that makes him want to ravish her even more. His hands drift to her bare white legs and slowly trace up to her hips. She lets out short gasps as her eyes close at the tingling his fingertips cause to run through her entire body.

Reason suddenly return and Slyfer sits up quickly lifting her off of him. “Luna, you are not ready for this, you still do not understand what it means. We can’t and I won’t take advantage of you in this way.”

Luna starts to regain herself and sits staring at him, her flushed cheeks makes Slyfer wants to roar and take her, but what then? How would he face her when she grows to learn what he had taken when she had not understood? She feels conflicted. –Who cares if I don’t understand my body wants him, does he not find me attractive. Am I not beautiful enough?-

Slyfer walks forward, he had read her mind. “It is not that I think you are ugly.” His palm touches her cheek, but she feels cold. Her heart is in pain and she does not understand why.

Before she can think things through Slyfer’s lips meet hers! Her eyes stretch in surprise, but she soon loses herself in his embrace. Her mind goes blank, but to her it feels like before she can even start to enjoy it, its already over. Slyfer sits back with a shy look. “You are beautiful; I just don’t want to do something that you may regret later.” She only manages to nod while touching her lips. She is still in a daze when Slyfer lets out a long sigh and a servant calls from outside to say his bath has been prepared.

He walks out, but before disappearing he looks back once more at the dazed girl a bit worried. He is not sure of her age and that is also what stopped him. He makes his way to the part of the tent that serves as the wash room, deciding to have a long chat with Vinx when she returns.