SERAPHINE

Smoke filled the air and the lead general stepped forward to offer his hand as Seraphine climbed down from the large majestic black dragon she had ridden in on. She accepted it and held it as she gathered up her long robes to step over the beasts back. Even though she had ridden dragons many times, the ride itself was still exhilarating. She smiled.

“Thank you General Dusard.” Seraphine smiled, letting go of his hand and brushing out her robes.

“You’re welcome, your Majesty.” General Dusard said smugly, as he handed her the ornate golden staff that he had held for her while she dismounted the dragon.

General Dusard, a small weasley man, then bowed and stepped backwards to allow Seraphine space to walk forward. Seraphine tolerated his presence, he had been a good soldier so she usually kept him close to her side, but she generally loathed his demeanor and found him extremely unattractive in his manner.

“Update me on the progress here, where is the girl and the amulet?” Seraphine asked as her guard stood at attention to either side of her, forming two long rows of protection as she stepped through the rubble. The General walked beside her.

“We are still searching for it. The girl was followed here. She won't get far.” General Dusard reported.

Seraphine looked at the prisoners lined up in the village square as they walked past. Their hands all tied above their heads, some were sobbing, others gave her a defiant look, all elves of various ages and sizes. Two guards prodded at them with their spears making them move, guiding them to the barred cells of horse drawn carts that waited for them.

“This is an Elf village?” Seaphine asked, noting the soft pointed ears on the captives.

“Yes your Majesty. This is the village of Aliniya. It has been under the care of King Zamea while the war has been raging.”

“Yes of course, do they think you are soldiers of Sarau?” Seraphine asked, as she looked around at the destruction.

“We believe so, we are all wearing the Sarau soldiers uniforms and there has been nothing that would tell them otherwise.” General Dusard responded, obviously pleased with himself for successfully fulfilling orders under their guise.

“Good, it is important that our cover remains intact until we are ready to strike. This will be reported to King Zamea of the Kingdom Elgavar. It will be good for him to think it was a Sarau attack until we are ready to progress with our plan.” Seraphine said, looking at General Dusard’s gleeful face and feeling disgust rise in her stomach.

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“The war certainly keeps the mortals occupied while we are preparing ourselves. Ingenious plan, my love.” A tall hooded man walked up to Seraphine and she offered him her hand. He held it and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of it softly then let it go.

“I thought you were to remain hidden.” Seraphine replied, as she pulled her hand away.

“And miss out on all the fun? Never.” He laughed, looking around at the destruction they had caused.

“Nobody recognised you?” She asked, quizzically.

The hooded man shook his head and pulled the scarf he was wearing further up over his face so only his eyes were visible, his dark charcoal coloured cloak ruffled in the breeze behind him. A wisp of graying hair escaped from underneath the hood and he used his hand to sweep it back behind his ear.

There was a commotion from the carts as some of the prisoners tried to break free from their captors. He put his hand on the handle of his sword and unsheathed it, ready to involve himself if required.

Seraphine held out her hand to motion to put his sword away.

“There is no need for that here, the General and his men have everything under control, don't you General?” Seraphine said, looking sharply at the general.

The General nodded and motioned for one of the guards to bring one of the prisoners over to them. The guard pushed an older Elf forward. His grey beard hung down to his waist, his robes were a pale green but dirtied with dust and tied with gold rope.

“This is one of the elders of the village, your Majesty. If anyone would know about the girl, he would.” The guard said as he pushed the old man forward.

The elder was taken to stand in front of her. She could feel his contempt for her exude from his body.

“Where is the amulet?” She asked him fiercely.

“I know nothing of any amulet. We are a peaceful village, we do not want any conflict with you. You broke the code of honour by doing what you have done. The Gods will not be happy.” The elderly Elf spat at her.

“Silence old one. I care nothing of the Gods. I do not fear them. Is there a human girl hiding in your village?” Seraphine sneered.

“I know nothing of a girl or an amulet and even if I did I would not disclose the information to you” He spat again.

Seraphine’s rage rose and she took her staff and banged the end of it firmly down on the ground in front of her causing the earth to shake. A woosh of magic air tore the earth around the elder, lifting him off the ground. She then lifted her staff into the air and flicked it downwards, throwing him to the hard dirt ground and knocking him unconscious. The guards picked him up and threw him in the back of the cart with the other prisoners.

Seraphine seethed in anger.

“I want every villager captured, send out dragons to catch those that may have escaped. Tear the village apart until the Princess and the amulet are found.”