Quick note guys, I had to put finishing up this story on pause, for now, just too busy trying to get my apartment up to landlord stands. The old woman wants it perfect before I get renewed. It turning into a nightmare, gawd. lol, Might be better to just leave I am thinking. So until I get this issue under control, I will have to want on adding more to this story. Sorry. I will try to find the time when I can, but for now, I am hard at work trying to get the place right. Pets and all didn't help. lol
Quick note guys, I had to put finishing up this story on pause, for now, just too busy trying to get my apartment up to landlord stands. The old woman wants it perfect before I get renewed. It turning into a nightmare, gawd. lol, Might be better to just leave I am thinking. So until I get this issue under control, I will have to want on adding more to this story. Sorry. I will try to find the time when I can, but for now, I am hard at work trying to get the place right. Pets and all didn't help. lol
Quick note guys, I had to put finishing up this story on pause, for now, just too busy trying to get my apartment up to landlord stands. The old woman wants it perfect before I get renewed. It turning into a nightmare, gawd. lol, Might be better to just leave I am thinking. So until I get this issue under control, I will have to want on adding more to this story. Sorry. I will try to find the time when I can, but for now, I am hard at work trying to get the place right. Pets and all didn't help. lol
don't worry Granthor I will eagerly await your return as I need to know what happens
Magnus returns to his hidden home in the deep woods, still in pain from the earlier attack, and he looks for healing potions to help him. Searching his rack of different colored potions, he finds the one he needs, but it's not the type for drinking. He pops the top of an orange vile and begins to heal the wound on his left side. With a wave of the hand and a few drops of potion with the other, his wound closes up fast. Now that he is healed, he can continue his work as planned, but first, he feels the need to be fed and calls for his servants. A short time passes but no one responds. Magnus calls again, but this time by name. " Silva, Mitra, come forth and attend me! " Still no movement, not even a sound, this, in turn, gets Magnus slightly angry, as he now drifts through the halls of his home. He calls out to them once more, now passing their simple room, next to the kitchen area. Still, no servants to be found, as he calls out again, now passing his garden area of rare planets. Room after room only show that no one is home, and he can't understand how they got out on their own. He grows concern when he realizes they are nowhere be to be found on his land. Who or what helped them get out? Now Magnus enters his study, and he sees the dragon heads are missing from his wall. " No....no...NOooooooooooooooo! He rushes to the area where they once rested, and the only thing left is the mounting cases. Magnus mind races wildly, as he looks about the room, then it hits him as he calms his mind. The dragons have taken his servants, but where have they gone? An answer he looks for by way of the crystal ball he has in his study, and he quickly moves to it, and slowly waves his hand around its edges, as he makes a few hand movements to focus on what he wants to see. An old sailor is sitting with his servants, but they look far different now. He sees they now are talking about something, as the image now switches to a tall sailing ship, the name of it is called the Goodwin, and his servants now can be seen boarding it. The image switches again, as he watches the pair look out over the open sea, as the ship sails to an unknown port. Then the image quickly spins and grows dark, Magnus wants to get a better look, but a pair of red eyes form in the miss of the ball. " You are not welcome! ", says a voice in a very deep tone. With the last words spoken, the crystal ball shatters into a million pieces. Magnus guards his face against the flying pieces, then sees a wisp of mist float up from the pile on the table. It begins to take on a form, as a large dragon head takes the shape. Angry flaming eyes sit buried within the creature's hard, thorny skull, which gives the creature a fierce looking appearance. Its nose is stubby and has two thin, curved nostrils, and two huge teeth poke out from the side of its mouth. " Magnus, do not come after my children, or you will face my judgment. You have been warned. ", rumbles the voice of the dragon. With those words the head of the dragon vanishes, as it returns to the mist from which it was made. Magnus frowns at those words, then turns to face a glass case in his room. He moves to the display, and he looks over a staff that's within the case. It has words labeled on the outside that say, this is the staff of the fallen king, as Magnus reads those words again, a smile crosses his face. " We shall see if you still have the power to control those dragons my pretty, I call on your power once more, and this time they will not get away. ", says Magnus with a laugh. He knows what the fallen king did oh so many centuries ago, and how he failed to keep the dragon's power under control. A mistaken Magnus will not make, as he takes hold of the might staff of the fallen king. But without his crystal ball to help guide him, he doesn't know where to begin to look, but he remembers of some old spells he can cast. One that will call on trusted scouts, it takes a little longer, but it's still a good way to track down what he wants. He needs time to prepare the spells, as he does so, he looks out a window to the rising moon outside. It's a full moon, and it's the perfect time to cast one of his better spells.
The night was hot, the humidity of the day lingered, and the heat of the day still gripped the land. A band of elves rides hard through the night, and with them rides Peter and his sister Anna in a cart, with Krull still unconscious and tied up in the back. Peter uses this time to practice one of his spells, even though he is mainly a sword user, he still can cast a simple spell or two. With a quick motion of this free hand, he tries to cast a cold spell, but it fizzes with a puff of light smoke. He tries again, again a puff of smoke. Anna seeing what he is doing snaps her fingers, and a cold chill wraps around Peter to chill him very quickly. The cold grips Peter hard, as he begins to shiver from the bitter cold air. No one else in the party feels the cold, as this spell only wraps around Peter. " For the gods' sale Anna, I wanted to do this spell on my own, and besides you have overdone it. I am freezing! ", says Peter now trying to keep warm. Anna snaps her fingers again with a laugh, and the cold spell vanishes from Peter, and the heat of the night grips him once more. Ashera riding next to them, seeing this giggles at the twins for a moment then returns her attention to the road ahead. A huge Clearing comes into view, there are fields spread all around, curving around, and waving over hill after hill. All around the party are deer and sheep gently grazing in the radiant pastures, and passing field after field ran a dusty road. The road ended at a large camp overshadowed by several enormous oak trees. The camp has many tents and wooden structures, as it shows a few minor signs of wear and tear, as it looks like they have been set up here for a long time. A blacksmith facility stood in the corner of the camp, with weapons and armor placed next to each tent with care, and the smell of compost hung in the air despite the hidden location of the bin behind the livestock pin. A small group of high ranking elves rides up to greet the party, They are Zandro Qinzana of The High Watch Tribe, Rosaria Damaris of The Green Oracle Warriors and Drannor Grelar of The Crimson Fist Tribe. All three are wearing very fine crafted light elf armor, it looks like a collection of golden leaves put together in a tight pattern that wraps around each of their bodies tightly like a second skin. behind them are long flowing capes, each with the color standard of their clans. Ashera now quickly moves ahead of the group. to meet them, Peter takes the cart to ride with her, as their escorts now move off to other areas of the camp. " Welcome back your highness. I hope all is well? ", says Zandro, with a slight bow of the head. " Yes, welcome back milady, and I see you have a few gifts for us on your return. ", says Rosaria, while looking over the twins. Ashera moves her horse next to the cart with the twins and motions for one her men to take over the cart, as the twins next exit to stand with Ashera. " These are my friends Rosaria, please show them respect while they are in the camp. ", says Ashera giving her a slight frown. " Drannor, I have a job for you, if you're up to it. In the cart is a prisoner, he might hold the key to help with our plans. find out everything you can for him that you can, but don't kill him. Do you understand? ", says Ashera with a little concern. " I will do my best with him Milady, you have my word. ", say s Drannor, as he rides off with the cart just ahead of him. There is a large tent next to the group, and Ashera follows Zandro and Rosaria inside, followed closely by Peter and Anna. Peter still has questions that need answering, and with more being seen and heard, the list just keeps growing. But now isn't the time, as he enters what looks like a war room in the tent, one that shows a battle plan to take a large castle in the middle of the map. On each side of the castle are three large forts, and it looks to Peter, if you want to take the castle, you need to take the forts first. Peter look up to see Ashera in a middle of a group of Elves now, along with the two that enter with them, all talking about what has to be done next. One elf seeing Anna and Peter moves over to their side slowly. Then with a concerned look, motions for them to leave the tent. " You Kaelar shouldn't be in here, this area is for the generals only, you have to wait outside. ", says the older elf. Peter tries to explain they are with Ashera, but they are still motioned out of the tent by the older elf, and the twins just have no choice but to wait until Ashera is done with her business. " Well, that went well. ", says Anna as she crosses her arms. " I know Anna, but we don't know what is going on, and these people don't know us. So, I don't blame them for being cautious. ", says Peter now looking around the camp. He sees a food tent nearby, and talks his sister into getting something to eat, he can see they might be waiting a while, so they might as well get a bite to eat.
Later that night, all the troops are in their tent bunks, short of the night watch, who keep a close eye on all things coming and going around the camp. The area is very well entrenched and hidden from sight, no one can tell this camp is even within the woods it is hidden unless you happen upon it by mistake, and even so, the guards they circle the camp would have long since taken action on any unlucky soul that crossed into the area. Peter and Anna have been given a tent to rest in for the night, but Peter finds he can not sleep while laying on the hard bunk given to him, His sister, on the other hand, is fast asleep, as she has cast a sleep on her bed, to make it more fitting to her liking. Peter wishes he had his sister's talent with magic, but his father wanted him to be more the expect in the school in weapons. the one thing that has saved him up to this point. Still, Peter makes motions with his left hand, and a small flicker of flame sparks up from his fingertips, then quickly fades away. It's a simple spell, one that he learned long ago, but it's not what his father wanted him to learn. One last snap of his fingers, then the flame says in place above his bed, it's a blue flame, and it lights up the inside of the tent. Peter smiles at the sight of his work, but his attention is drawn away as someone opens his tent, he sees it's one of the guards of the camp. " Master Stormhand, her highness Ashera Laurel will see you now. Please follow me. " Peter turns to look at his sister still fast asleep, no sense in waking her up, so he goes off with the guard without her. After a short trip across the camp, they reach a very large wooden structure that looks to be made of cypress wood, it has guards ported around the edges, and double the guards at its two red door entrance who hold silver halberds. The building looks to have two levels, with two watchtowers mounded on both sides. A very well guarded place, in the middle of a huge camp. The guard motions for Peter to follow and enter the building. Inside, small braziers attached to each of the eight wooden columns light up most of the room and cover the area in warm oranges and dancing shadows. Wooden carvings of elven figures on the walls dance in the flickering light, while stone effigies look down upon the wooden floor of this radiant room. A turquoise rug splits the entire room in half from the doors to a small throne while swallowing tail banners with adorned needlework drape from the walls. Between each banner sits a small alter full of candles, almost all of them have been lit and in turn illuminate the portraits of late royal family members below them. Windows are enclosed by draperies colored the same turquoise as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with gilded linings and fine patterns. The throne is covered in complicated carvings and fixed on each of the front legs is a chiseled sun. The fluffy pillows are a light turquoise and these too have been adorned with emblazoned needlework. There are two sets of spiral stairs, that lead up to the next level just behind and to the side of the throne. Peter turns to ask the guard a question, but he has already left the area, and the doors close behind him with a sliding click. He looks around more, and no one can be seen, then a voice echoes through the room. " Peter, you have questions for me, please come upstairs, I will do my best to answer all you have to ask. " Peter knows that voice, it's Ashera, and he does what she has requested, and moves up to the next level. Here there are more royal guards, they wear very elite looking armor, and hold golden halberds. They don't look at Peter, as the doors open to the next room. He slowly moves past them, taking care to watch for any sudden movement, as Ashera calls to him again. " Hurry up silly, they will not bite you. " He enters a dimly lit room, and the doors quickly close behind him. He turns to see Ashera laying on a massive pillow, wearing a gold and silver lace dress with a beautiful v-neck and her blue-green hair fixed into a long ponytail draped over her left shoulder, and it's cut high on both sides, It looks to have a relaxed fit with a perfect combination of grace and style. Around her neck rest a brown dragon medallion. The room around her is hard to make out, as the air has a mist of scented mint. She motions for Peter to sit on a second pillow just next to her, and she readies herself for the question that is about to come. " Before you ask you first question Peter, I will answer the biggest one of them all. Who am I? I am the daughter of Elyenvis, Queen of the great northern lands from your world, the last survivor of her royal family. I don't know her story from back in your lands, only that she was a friend to your father. She came here one day by the power of the great gates like you and your sister did. She had a few of her people with her when she entered this land. Shortly after she met my father Drannor Laurel, King of the Eastern kingdom. When my father met my mother, it was love at first sight, and shortly after they were married. I was one of many born from my mother, and for what I remember those were the happiest times of my life. " " So, where does my brother come into this story of yours? "asks Peter now listening very carefully now. Ashera adjusts her position slightly on the pillow, then answers his question. " Robert came...., or should I say my mother learning of him, had brought to our kingdom. Him being one of your fathers kin, she felt it her duty to help him at the time, and he was grateful of the help. He came to us with nothing, and my family took him in and gave him everything. During that time with us, he worked with my father, and he gained fame and fortune with my families help. At the time, he seemed very friendly and outgoing, but as time went by something changed in him. " Peter frowns a little, as he looks into Ashera's eyes now. He knew his brother before he left home, the part of friendly and outgoing was Robert alright. But now a change in his personality, this part he will watch and listen very carefully to her next words. " Yes, the Robert I grew up with is as you say, but what changed over that period of time, doesn't sound like the brother I remember. " " Your right Peter, I didn't understand it myself, but everything changed when he met a man called Chandler Grimsbane. He had Robert's ear, and they began to do things to gain more fame and fortune off the backs of my family. " " Wait, you say Grimsbane ? That same man that I met with Anna out at that old house in the forest? ", says Pete, now gripping the pillow he is on slightly. " Yes Peter, that was the very same man, Lord Grimsbane as he is called now, was at Robert's side when everything changed. It was shortly after when everything happened so fast. I remember then, my mother never liked that man Grimsbane, but Robert still spoke highly of him to the court. " Ashera now turns away from Peter, but he takes her by the hand, as he moves to sit next to her. A slight smile crosses her face, as she looks into his eyes with tears in her own. " Oh Peter you are nothing like your brother, you still have kindness within you, don't ever change ok. ", tears begin to roll down her face as she speaks those words. " Please Ashera, I need to know what happened. Please tell me the best you can remember. ", says Peter as he takes her other hand in his. She takes a deep breath, then continues with her story. " One day, I heard a lot of arguing from the main hall, my father was very upset over something, and he ordered for both Robert and Grimbane to leave his kingdom. I tried to see what was going on but was told by the guards not to enter the hall at this time. So I returned to my room for the day. ", Ashera now takes a deep breath again., then continues. " Later that night I heard screams, then a lot of yelling. I was in my room at the time and rushed out to see what was going on. The guards were rushing to different parts of the castle, and I was told to return to my room at once, but me being who I am had to see what was happening. I made my way down to the main hall, and that's when I saw my father fighting with Robert. They were fighting with swords, and the sound of it echoed in the halls. " Ashera pauses for a moment, as Peter holds her hands a little tighter, then she continues. " On the ground close to where I was standing by the doorway was my mother, she looked up at me and called me over. She told me she loved me very much and pushed this dragon's medallion into my hands, then she died in my arms. I heard a loud scream from deeper in the hall, as I watched my father now drop to the ground, with both Robert and Grimsbane standing over him. I yelled at them both, calling them murders, then someone grabbed me from behind, it was one of the palace guards. They dragged me off from that place, as the kingdom was being overrun with Robert's men. I remember that night, for I was the only one in my family to make it out alive. ", Ashera lets go of Peter's hands, and turns to put her head on the pillow she is on. " By the gods Ashera, I am so sorry. I didn't know. ", says Peter putting a hand on her side now. " The pain of that night still haunts my dream's Peter, what your brother did with Grimbane. What they took from me, everything I lost. It's unforgivable. ", says Ashera now hugging her pillow tightly. Peter seeing this stands and slowly walks away from the area, then turns to look at her one more time. " I am sorry for what my brother has done, just know it's not the Stormhand's way, and he should have known better than that. Father has always taught us to be kind and respect people who we meet over our travels, to not take advantage of those who are in need. To be the champion if needed, and help those who can't help themselves. This version of what you say is Robert, I just don't understand why he turned into the man you say he is. Again I am very sorry Ashera, I will take my leave of you, I am sure you don't want to see a reminder of that night right now. ", say Peter now taking a few steps toward the door. But Ashera calls to him, and he stops where he is, as she stands from her pillow and moves to his side. Then Ashera looks into his eyes once more, as she speaks to him again. "You're not your brother Peter, I knew that the very day I met you. Yes, I know who you were once you entered this land, you look like your brother, Yes, I was tempted to for a small moment to kill you.". says Ashera with a playful smile. " But I wanted to know who was this man, that gave me these feelings. Ones that I never knew I had before. ", says Ashera, now putting her arms around Peter's shoulders. " So how do you feel about me Ashera? ", says Peter as he finds himself putting his arms around her waist. " Oh Peter, I love you very much, and there is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you. I know that now, can you say the same about me? ". says Ashera now getting closer to him. Peter hearing those words, can't help but reply in the same manner to Ashera, which gives her the biggest smile on her face, then she presses hard against him, and they share the deepest of loves kiss together.
I broke it up into two parts, that's why I got it down so fast. More to come shortly. I know how I want to end it all, just filling in the blanks in the middle. lol
Comments
Now that he is healed, he can continue his work as planned, but first, he feels the need to be fed and calls for his servants. A short time passes but no one responds. Magnus calls again, but this time by name.
" Silva, Mitra, come forth and attend me! "
Still no movement, not even a sound, this, in turn, gets Magnus slightly angry, as he now drifts through the halls of his home. He calls out to them once more, now passing their simple room, next to the kitchen area. Still, no servants to be found, as he calls out again, now passing his garden area of rare planets. Room after room only show that no one is home, and he can't understand how they got out on their own. He grows concern when he realizes they are nowhere be to be found on his land. Who or what helped them get out? Now Magnus enters his study, and he sees the dragon heads are missing from his wall.
" No....no...NOooooooooooooooo!
He rushes to the area where they once rested, and the only thing left is the mounting cases. Magnus mind races wildly, as he looks about the room, then it hits him as he calms his mind. The dragons have taken his servants, but where have they gone?
An answer he looks for by way of the crystal ball he has in his study, and he quickly moves to it, and slowly waves his hand around its edges, as he makes a few hand movements to focus on what he wants to see.
An old sailor is sitting with his servants, but they look far different now. He sees they now are talking about something, as the image now switches to a tall sailing ship, the name of it is called the Goodwin, and his servants now can be seen boarding it. The image switches again, as he watches the pair look out over the open sea, as the ship sails to an unknown port. Then the image quickly spins and grows dark, Magnus wants to get a better look, but a pair of red eyes form in the miss of the ball.
" You are not welcome! ", says a voice in a very deep tone.
With the last words spoken, the crystal ball shatters into a million pieces. Magnus guards his face against the flying pieces, then sees a wisp of mist float up from the pile on the table. It begins to take on a form, as a large dragon head takes the shape. Angry flaming eyes sit buried within the creature's hard, thorny skull, which gives the creature a fierce looking appearance. Its nose is stubby and has two thin, curved nostrils, and two huge teeth poke out from the side of its mouth.
" Magnus, do not come after my children, or you will face my judgment. You have been warned. ", rumbles the voice of the dragon.
With those words the head of the dragon vanishes, as it returns to the mist from which it was made.
Magnus frowns at those words, then turns to face a glass case in his room. He moves to the display, and he looks over a staff that's within the case. It has words labeled on the outside that say, this is the staff of the fallen king, as Magnus reads those words again, a smile crosses his face.
" We shall see if you still have the power to control those dragons my pretty, I call on your power once more, and this time they will not get away. ", says Magnus with a laugh.
He knows what the fallen king did oh so many centuries ago, and how he failed to keep the dragon's power under control. A mistaken Magnus will not make, as he takes hold of the might staff of the fallen king.
But without his crystal ball to help guide him, he doesn't know where to begin to look, but he remembers of some old spells he can cast. One that will call on trusted scouts, it takes a little longer, but it's still a good way to track down what he wants. He needs time to prepare the spells, as he does so, he looks out a window to the rising moon outside. It's a full moon, and it's the perfect time to cast one of his better spells.
To be continued.......
Well, just because I am ending this one soon, doesn't mean I will not do a new tale to continue the adventure. Just a little FYI.
" For the gods' sale Anna, I wanted to do this spell on my own, and besides you have overdone it. I am freezing! ", says Peter now trying to keep warm.
Anna snaps her fingers again with a laugh, and the cold spell vanishes from Peter, and the heat of the night grips him once more. Ashera riding next to them, seeing this giggles at the twins for a moment then returns her attention to the road ahead. A huge Clearing comes into view, there are fields spread all around, curving around, and waving over hill after hill. All around the party are deer and sheep gently grazing in the radiant pastures, and passing field after field ran a dusty road.
The road ended at a large camp overshadowed by several enormous oak trees. The camp has many tents and wooden structures, as it shows a few minor signs of wear and tear, as it looks like they have been set up here for a long time. A blacksmith facility stood in the corner of the camp, with weapons and armor placed next to each tent with care, and the smell of compost hung in the air despite the hidden location of the bin behind the livestock pin.
A small group of high ranking elves rides up to greet the party, They are Zandro Qinzana of The High Watch Tribe, Rosaria Damaris of The Green Oracle Warriors and Drannor Grelar of The Crimson Fist Tribe. All three are wearing very fine crafted light elf armor, it looks like a collection of golden leaves put together in a tight pattern that wraps around each of their bodies tightly like a second skin. behind them are long flowing capes, each with the color standard of their clans. Ashera now quickly moves ahead of the group. to meet them, Peter takes the cart to ride with her, as their escorts now move off to other areas of the camp.
" Welcome back your highness. I hope all is well? ", says Zandro, with a slight bow of the head.
" Yes, welcome back milady, and I see you have a few gifts for us on your return. ", says Rosaria, while looking over the twins.
Ashera moves her horse next to the cart with the twins and motions for one her men to take over the cart, as the twins next exit to stand with Ashera.
" These are my friends Rosaria, please show them respect while they are in the camp. ", says Ashera giving her a slight frown.
" Drannor, I have a job for you, if you're up to it. In the cart is a prisoner, he might hold the key to help with our plans. find out everything you can for him that you can, but don't kill him. Do you understand? ", says Ashera with a little concern.
" I will do my best with him Milady, you have my word. ", say s Drannor, as he rides off with the cart just ahead of him.
There is a large tent next to the group, and Ashera follows Zandro and Rosaria inside, followed closely by Peter and Anna. Peter still has questions that need answering, and with more being seen and heard, the list just keeps growing. But now isn't the time, as he enters what looks like a war room in the tent, one that shows a battle plan to take a large castle in the middle of the map. On each side of the castle are three large forts, and it looks to Peter, if you want to take the castle, you need to take the forts first. Peter look up to see Ashera in a middle of a group of Elves now, along with the two that enter with them, all talking about what has to be done next. One elf seeing Anna and Peter moves over to their side slowly. Then with a concerned look, motions for them to leave the tent.
" You Kaelar shouldn't be in here, this area is for the generals only, you have to wait outside. ", says the older elf.
Peter tries to explain they are with Ashera, but they are still motioned out of the tent by the older elf, and the twins just have no choice but to wait until Ashera is done with her business.
" Well, that went well. ", says Anna as she crosses her arms.
" I know Anna, but we don't know what is going on, and these people don't know us. So, I don't blame them for being cautious. ", says Peter now looking around the camp.
He sees a food tent nearby, and talks his sister into getting something to eat, he can see they might be waiting a while, so they might as well get a bite to eat.
To be continued..............
Peter and Anna have been given a tent to rest in for the night, but Peter finds he can not sleep while laying on the hard bunk given to him, His sister, on the other hand, is fast asleep, as she has cast a sleep on her bed, to make it more fitting to her liking. Peter wishes he had his sister's talent with magic, but his father wanted him to be more the expect in the school in weapons. the one thing that has saved him up to this point. Still, Peter makes motions with his left hand, and a small flicker of flame sparks up from his fingertips, then quickly fades away. It's a simple spell, one that he learned long ago, but it's not what his father wanted him to learn. One last snap of his fingers, then the flame says in place above his bed, it's a blue flame, and it lights up the inside of the tent.
Peter smiles at the sight of his work, but his attention is drawn away as someone opens his tent, he sees it's one of the guards of the camp.
" Master Stormhand, her highness Ashera Laurel will see you now. Please follow me. "
Peter turns to look at his sister still fast asleep, no sense in waking her up, so he goes off with the guard without her.
After a short trip across the camp, they reach a very large wooden structure that looks to be made of cypress wood, it has guards ported around the edges, and double the guards at its two red door entrance who hold silver halberds. The building looks to have two levels, with two watchtowers mounded on both sides. A very well guarded place, in the middle of a huge camp. The guard motions for Peter to follow and enter the building.
Inside, small braziers attached to each of the eight wooden columns light up most of the room and cover the area in warm oranges and dancing shadows. Wooden carvings of elven figures on the walls dance in the flickering light, while stone effigies look down upon the wooden floor of this radiant room.
A turquoise rug splits the entire room in half from the doors to a small throne while swallowing tail banners with adorned needlework drape from the walls. Between each banner sits a small alter full of candles, almost all of them have been lit and in turn illuminate the portraits of late royal family members below them. Windows are enclosed by draperies colored the same turquoise as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with gilded linings and fine patterns.
The throne is covered in complicated carvings and fixed on each of the front legs is a chiseled sun. The fluffy pillows are a light turquoise and these too have been adorned with emblazoned needlework. There are two sets of spiral stairs, that lead up to the next level just behind and to the side of the throne.
Peter turns to ask the guard a question, but he has already left the area, and the doors close behind him with a sliding click. He looks around more, and no one can be seen, then a voice echoes through the room.
" Peter, you have questions for me, please come upstairs, I will do my best to answer all you have to ask. "
Peter knows that voice, it's Ashera, and he does what she has requested, and moves up to the next level. Here there are more royal guards, they wear very elite looking armor, and hold golden halberds. They don't look at Peter, as the doors open to the next room. He slowly moves past them, taking care to watch for any sudden movement, as Ashera calls to him again.
" Hurry up silly, they will not bite you. "
He enters a dimly lit room, and the doors quickly close behind him. He turns to see Ashera laying on a massive pillow, wearing a gold and silver lace dress with a beautiful v-neck and her blue-green hair fixed into a long ponytail draped over her left shoulder, and it's cut high on both sides, It looks to have a relaxed fit with a perfect combination of grace and style. Around her neck rest a brown dragon medallion. The room around her is hard to make out, as the air has a mist of scented mint.
She motions for Peter to sit on a second pillow just next to her, and she readies herself for the question that is about to come.
" Before you ask you first question Peter, I will answer the biggest one of them all. Who am I? I am the daughter of Elyenvis, Queen of the great northern lands from your world, the last survivor of her royal family. I don't know her story from back in your lands, only that she was a friend to your father. She came here one day by the power of the great gates like you and your sister did. She had a few of her people with her when she entered this land. Shortly after she met my father Drannor Laurel, King of the Eastern kingdom. When my father met my mother, it was love at first sight, and shortly after they were married. I was one of many born from my mother, and for what I remember those were the happiest times of my life. "
" So, where does my brother come into this story of yours? "asks Peter now listening very carefully now.
Ashera adjusts her position slightly on the pillow, then answers his question.
" Robert came...., or should I say my mother learning of him, had brought to our kingdom. Him being one of your fathers kin, she felt it her duty to help him at the time, and he was grateful of the help. He came to us with nothing, and my family took him in and gave him everything. During that time with us, he worked with my father, and he gained fame and fortune with my families help. At the time, he seemed very friendly and outgoing, but as time went by something changed in him. "
Peter frowns a little, as he looks into Ashera's eyes now. He knew his brother before he left home, the part of friendly and outgoing was Robert alright. But now a change in his personality, this part he will watch and listen very carefully to her next words.
" Yes, the Robert I grew up with is as you say, but what changed over that period of time, doesn't sound like the brother I remember. "
" Your right Peter, I didn't understand it myself, but everything changed when he met a man called Chandler Grimsbane. He had Robert's ear, and they began to do things to gain more fame and fortune off the backs of my family. "
" Wait, you say Grimsbane ? That same man that I met with Anna out at that old house in the forest? ", says Pete, now gripping the pillow he is on slightly.
" Yes Peter, that was the very same man, Lord Grimsbane as he is called now, was at Robert's side when everything changed. It was shortly after when everything happened so fast. I remember then, my mother never liked that man Grimsbane, but Robert still spoke highly of him to the court. "
Ashera now turns away from Peter, but he takes her by the hand, as he moves to sit next to her. A slight smile crosses her face, as she looks into his eyes with tears in her own.
" Oh Peter you are nothing like your brother, you still have kindness within you, don't ever change ok. ", tears begin to roll down her face as she speaks those words.
" Please Ashera, I need to know what happened. Please tell me the best you can remember. ", says Peter as he takes her other hand in his.
She takes a deep breath, then continues with her story.
" One day, I heard a lot of arguing from the main hall, my father was very upset over something, and he ordered for both Robert and Grimbane to leave his kingdom. I tried to see what was going on but was told by the guards not to enter the hall at this time. So I returned to my room for the day. ", Ashera now takes a deep breath again., then continues.
" Later that night I heard screams, then a lot of yelling. I was in my room at the time and rushed out to see what was going on. The guards were rushing to different parts of the castle, and I was told to return to my room at once, but me being who I am had to see what was happening. I made my way down to the main hall, and that's when I saw my father fighting with Robert. They were fighting with swords, and the sound of it echoed in the halls. "
Ashera pauses for a moment, as Peter holds her hands a little tighter, then she continues.
" On the ground close to where I was standing by the doorway was my mother, she looked up at me and called me over. She told me she loved me very much and pushed this dragon's medallion into my hands, then she died in my arms. I heard a loud scream from deeper in the hall, as I watched my father now drop to the ground, with both Robert and Grimsbane standing over him. I yelled at them both, calling them murders, then someone grabbed me from behind, it was one of the palace guards. They dragged me off from that place, as the kingdom was being overrun with Robert's men. I remember that night, for I was the only one in my family to make it out alive. ", Ashera lets go of Peter's hands, and turns to put her head on the pillow she is on.
" By the gods Ashera, I am so sorry. I didn't know. ", says Peter putting a hand on her side now.
" The pain of that night still haunts my dream's Peter, what your brother did with Grimbane. What they took from me, everything I lost. It's unforgivable. ", says Ashera now hugging her pillow tightly.
Peter seeing this stands and slowly walks away from the area, then turns to look at her one more time.
" I am sorry for what my brother has done, just know it's not the Stormhand's way, and he should have known better than that. Father has always taught us to be kind and respect people who we meet over our travels, to not take advantage of those who are in need. To be the champion if needed, and help those who can't help themselves. This version of what you say is Robert, I just don't understand why he turned into the man you say he is. Again I am very sorry Ashera, I will take my leave of you, I am sure you don't want to see a reminder of that night right now. ", say Peter now taking a few steps toward the door.
But Ashera calls to him, and he stops where he is, as she stands from her pillow and moves to his side. Then Ashera looks into his eyes once more, as she speaks to him again.
"You're not your brother Peter, I knew that the very day I met you. Yes, I know who you were once you entered this land, you look like your brother, Yes, I was tempted to for a small moment to kill you.". says Ashera with a playful smile.
" But I wanted to know who was this man, that gave me these feelings. Ones that I never knew I had before. ", says Ashera, now putting her arms around Peter's shoulders.
" So how do you feel about me Ashera? ", says Peter as he finds himself putting his arms around her waist.
" Oh Peter, I love you very much, and there is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you. I know that now, can you say the same about me? ". says Ashera now getting closer to him.
Peter hearing those words, can't help but reply in the same manner to Ashera, which gives her the biggest smile on her face, then she presses hard against him, and they share the deepest of loves kiss together.
To be continued..........................