Surprise surprise, i am just full of surprises today! Well its a few days before the eleventh, but here it is chapter fifty! I just want to thank everyone that has read my story up to here! You guys are awesome, but of course you already know that.
Enjoy the chap, please remember to RATE, FOLLOW AND FAVORITE if you have not already. Even if you just go and read some of the reviews and like or dislike it is also appreciated.
Cant believe it 50 chaps, nearly 250k words.
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50
Vassal(center oh center where for art thou center)
-What is this….what is so soft? This texture, this softness…It can only be.- Slyfer opens one of his eyes just a crack in fear of disturbing this perfect moment! Fira is on his left basically curled around his arm. Trisha is on the right, he watches as she cutely yawns and rubs at one of her eyes. He smiles like a fool. –Breasts are the best!-
He feels Trisha move, still holding his eyes tightly shut. Despite wanting to fain being asleep the idiotic smile he has can’t leave his face. He feels Trisha’s breath on his cheek followed by her lips lightly brushing against it. What follows next thoroughly rains on his parade. “You are such a perv, we can sense your feelings you know.”
His body goes rigid. –Caught in the act! Act cool Slyfer just act cool.- He opens his eyes and gives her an innocent look. “I did not want to wake you guys up.”
She smiles at him. “Good save, but it does not make the words true. Fira you can also stop pretending to be asleep, you were awake even before me.”
SLyfer’s head snaps to his left. Fira opens her eyes and looks at him sheepishly before giving Trisha a look that could kill. It soon turns innocent again! “Good Morning.” She smiles.
Slyfer can only smile back. –Pretending you weren’t caught? She is a genius!-
Slyfer tries to move his legs only to discover they are stuck. Something grunts under the blanket! Slyfer watches the blanket rise slowly. Whatever it is moves towards him! Luna’s cute face pops out a second later. Her hair is disheveled and sleep is clearly still sticking to her face. Her almost silver eyes settle on him. The sleepy eyes then turns to Trisha and finally Fira. Her hands stretch out from under the blankes and slide onto his middle, she takes a firm grip and pulls herself up. Luna crawls up a bit more basically lying on top of Slyfer now before flopping down again, intending to continue her blissful sleep! –If I died right now I would be happy man!-
The moment is broken when Slyfer senses stifling killing intent from left and right, he swallows hard fearing for Luna’s life! Both shout, “Get off!” Before kicking Luna, not so gently to go flying off the bed.
“Uwuuu, why kick Luna, so mean!” Luna looks at them both from the ground. “Ah, why is Wolf topless?”
Trisha jumps up and points at Fira. “You, did you try to make a move while I was asleep? You dog I will destroy you!”
Fira jumps up. “So what if I did, I told you I would make him mine! Bring it on cat, let’s see who bites the hardest!”
Slyfer looks at the two then at the roof of the tent. –I was in heaven… if only for a moment.- His eyes set in determination while he balls his fist and punches out. “I will remember it for eternity!”
Trisha and Fira looks at him at the same time…. “Pervert!”
Elyna watches as Slyfer exits the tent. Every time she sees him she cant help but doubt what he told her, what he is… Doubting it is not the same as not believing it. She had been surprised when the Queen had toled her and seven others to keep Slyfer safe at all costs. She has also been appointed to serve as a messenger between the two. A green light shoots towards Slyfer as he stretches in the early morning sun.
Vinx plows into his stomach, causing Slyfer to make a surprised face. “You, how could you nearly die, you always make me worry about you!”
Slyfer tossles her hair with his finger. “Don’t worry I was taken good care of.”
Vinx scrounges up her nose. “Yes I saw. Hmpf” She turns away.
Slyfer puts on his best puppy face. “Vinx don’t be like that, its not like I could have helped it.” His mind goes back to what happened a moment ago and he can’t help but smile like an idiot once again.
Vinx turns back to him. “I am the least of your problems, did you forget Fira is a Princess, the King was here before the sun was even up. He had a multitude of guards with him, if not for Elyn a and the others he would have stormed inside and made you a eunuch. When the tigers and wolves also started opposed him he finally gave up, however, he did not leave before saying Fira had to go see him as soon as she woke up.”
Slyfer frowns feeling a bit angry, it only lasts a second. “Well, nothing can be done about that now.”
Vinx flies and *ponk* hits his head. “You seem way to carefree.”
Elyna’s voice interrupts them. Slyfer turns to her and the seven other. She is the only one with a smile on her face. “It seems I am to follow you around again.” They greet in the traditional way. Slyfer raises an eyebrow after the greetings. “My comrades and I have been tasked with keeping you safe and to follow your every order.”
Slyfer looks over the other High elves. He actually recognizes two besides Elyna. One is the High Elf that got injured during the fight against Browly. The other is the earth mage that helped the Queen during the ball. SLyfer remembers him clearly since he saw the elf remove the trees of corpses before taking flight to clear his head after Great Sun’s death. He nods at them trying to stay serious, but the stupid smile he has because of this morning’s events, makes it impossible for him to look serious.
They exchange a few words before a herald runs over to them. “My lord lady Venon wishes for an audience.”
He nods, indicating she can come. “Just when I thought nothing could spoil my mood.” Taking a deep breath Slyfer calls over a servant. “Please bring out a table and prepare some breakfast, I feel like eating inside would waste the wonderful morning air.”
The servant looks at him confused then nods. They had never seen their master in such a mood. Slyfer arranges for a few more tables and the filed in front of his tent is soon dotted with tables. Slyfer tells Elyna and her group to take a seat at a table near them.
It not long before Venon arrives and surprise at the situation is clearly displayed in her eyes. She sets at the table along with the other three. They greet and Slyfer tells the servant to bring beran, once again surprising them. Elyna and the other High Elves smile in surprise. Venon looks at him confused. “What is beran?”
Slyfer lifts an eyebrow. “You don’t know?” he shrugs when she shakes her head and starts to explain. “Well I learned to drink it from my master. It is a type of herb that you dry out then using a sieve you place it over a cup with the leaves inside.” The returns and places what almost looks like sticks bundled together on the table, along with some cups.
Venon watches with rapt attention as Slyfer goes through the process. Her eyes flicker from his busy hands that are placing the sieve over a large decanter to his eyebrows that are set in concentration. –He takes care with even mundane tasks, how can this be the same person from yesterday?-
Slyfer holds out his hand and the servant places a pot filled with water on it. Venon cant help but smile at the young servant’s anticipation. She can’t help but feel a bit herself. The pot of water soon starts to boil and the servant nearly claps her hands. –He used magic to heat the water?-
Slyfer continues to boil the water for a while before placing the bundled sticks in the sieve. He smiles and Venon takes a deep breath. Since meeting him she had never seen him truly smile and the change it brings to his already handsome face makes her want to smile as well. She watches as he carefully and slowly pours the hot water over the sticks. The High Elves nod, to them it seems like Aldowin has taught Slyfer the proper way to prepare the hot drink.
A smell similar to ginger and chamomile fills the air and all the High Elves take deep breaths. They had been away from home for a long time and smelling the drink makes their mouths water, it also lessens the homesickness. Slyfer continues to pour at a slow pace patiently watching and concentrating on it so that he does not pour to fast otherwise it will be too diluted.
Back in the sky mountains he had perfected the skill to postpone his daily beatings meted out by the Sword master! It was the only way to distract the elf for a while, unfortunately the herb was very rare in the valley so he could not do it often and if he did it badly the high Elf would beat him harder.
Seeing the looks that the High Elves have, he passes the decanter to them first. A secret smile passes between Elyna and Slyfer while she thinks. –He has grown smarter; if he wished to break the ice with his new guards this will certainly win him some affection.-
After they finish pouring the drinks, Slyfer offers some to Venon. She nods and watches him poure it. Before he hands it over he lightly blows on it. As if remembering something he blushes. “Eh sorry it’s out of habit”, he quickly hands over the cup while looking away to hide his embarrassment.
Venon takes a sip and the hot liquid goes down splendidly. To her surprise, the herb has congealed the water a bit. Making it thicker and all the more enjoyable since the texture is a bit alien. Slyfer makes his own and finally meets her gaze. “Please accept this as a peace offering. Yesterday I lost my temper, I am afraid it has become a habit of mine. I do not blame you for not knowing the truth, your elders however…”
She holds the cup between her hands sipping on it occasionally, thoroughly starting to enjoy it. “You say I don’t know the truth, but forgive me I cannot just believe you.
Slyfer clenches his jaw, the action is not lost on her. She shivers when she thinks back on yesterday and how she had feared for her life. Slyfer sighs, “well I can’t expect more from you at this time. However, please tell me what you have been taught.”
She looks at him a bit apprehensive, not sure if she should and afraid he may lose his temper again. Venon is just about to decline. When a head of nearly white, blonde hair pops out behind Slyfer. “Unfair, Alpha can’t drink without me. Without waiting for a reply Luna takes Slyfer’s cup and drinks from it before smiling with satisfaction.
Slyfer smiles at her. “Luna what did me and Vinx say about asking first? “ His words are barely cold before Vinx also lifts some of the liquid out of the cup by using magic. He shakes his head giving up and pours himself another cup.
The next to appear is Fira. Slyfer has no idea when, but it seems she got new clothes from somewhere. Her hair is still a bit wet when she takes a seat next to him. Her soapy smell accompanied by her natural scent makes Slyfer’s nostrils flare. He looks at her not noticing for the first time how her skin takes on a unique and wonderful shine in the morning sun. She gives him a look and without saying anything he passes the cup he just poured to her. As a reward she places her tail on his lap, which he unconsciously starts to rub! -So fluffy.-
He is just about to start talking again when Trisha appears. Seeing all three of them reminds him of this morning and he can’t help but smile again. Unknown to him his body has already started to release a small amount of pheromones again.
With everyone finally seated, their conversation can continue. He had seen Venon’s reaction when he asked. “Do not worry I won’t get angry at you.”
She sighs, -he may not get angry at me, but what about my father and the others?- Steeling herself she starts to explain. “I was taught that long ago, the dragons attacked everyone and forcefully made put them under their rule. This was all fine since it stopped wars between most of the races and brought on some semblance of peace, however, as years went by the humans and Wood Elves were oppressed more and more, until with the help of the griffins, they started a war against the dragons. Unfortunately the Wood elves were all slaughtered in the war, but the humans were triumphant.” Venon cannot help but notice the displeasure that is starting to show on the faces of everyone present. Taking a deep breath she continues. “Fearing that the same thing would happen again the rest of the races except for the Dark and High elves decided to form a council in order so that no race could try and take over the others in the future. The humans however were to worn out and suffered many losses during the war so they did not have the recourses to help at the time, however, now that they have regained their strength, they have come to help…”
Slyfer’s cup suddenly breaks, also effectively breaking the deathly silence that has settled over everyone. His face is blank as he looks at Venon. In his mind he is continuously telling himself, that it’s not her fault. Trisha places her hand on his leg to try and calm him as well.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
As if nothing happened Slyfer takes another cup and pours in silence. He takes a sip and raising his voice talks to everyone present. “This, is the extent of what your negligence has caused.”
The High Elves all look at their table feeling ashamed. The older Dark Elves shuffle around an pick at things. The younger ones not understanding anything. One in his ignorance asks. “Is what she said true?”
The older one smacks his head in anger, “of course it’s not true! Yes the dragons united everyone, but it was in our own free will. We had been at war with the High Elves for who knows how long even our leaders had forgotten why. The dragons became intermediaries and helped us settle our differences to an extent and offered to serve as peacekeepers punishing those that broke the laws set between the two races without favoritism. We agreed and in exchange… in exchange if the dragons were ever in need we, we would go help them…”
The last words are said in shame. Venon frowns at what the Dark Elf had said. Elyna looks at her confused face. “There was once a war between the Snow Elves and Wood Elves as well. The dragons once again interceded and many tried to break the curse placed on the women in the Snow Elf race. They partially succeded, you see the curse was much worse once, your smell, your breath even your gestures would have made men crazy and ravish you on the spot. After they cast a large spell in which two Elder dragons died the curse was lessened to what it is now. A curse can only be fully lifted by using the blood of the one that cast it. Unfortunately this was learned too late and the Wood Elf Queen was killed. Everyone believed that with her the last of her bloodline died. It was only right before the war that they discovered a lead.”
Elyna takes a sip of her drink. Venon can barely stop herself from shouting for Elyna to continue. To Venons’s relief, another High Elf continues. “You see they had discovered that, the Queen had a illegitimate brother, but his sister hated the man and he was kept secret, locked away somewhere. The he somehow escaped and fled towards the humans. After that we have no records.”
Venon starts to breath heavily and asks with a shaky voice. “So if this man or his children is found it would be possible to lift the curse?” Venon and the other two hold hands fearing to believe, but wanting it to be true.
A deathly silence once again settles over the people. It is Slyfer that answers this time. “No, the dragons are dead. There is no-one who knows how.” His words fall like hammer blows on the three women, he instantly regrets having said it so coldly, but he could not help himself since he still felt angry about their “teachings”.
The dragons who had been quiet since the morning suddenly starts to argue amongst each other. Slyfer can hear them, but among the tumult ov voices he cant make out what they are saying. They finally stop and one chosen to speak for them, does so. -There is a way.-
Slyfer nearly drops his cup. He stays quiet silently urging the dragon on. -Some dragons here have knowledge about the curse, however, the research was accumulated by a lot of us and some of our memories are jumbled together, however, everything we learned was recorded…-
Recorded where? The dragon is silent and some voices start to object an older voice drowns out the rest. –Silence, if the boy wishes to stand a chance against the betrayer he will need to go there eventually.-
They fall quiet and Slyfer getting frustrated blurt out aloud. “Go where?”
The same old voice shows him a place. Slyfer almost feels like he can recognize it, but he does not know from where. –Concentrate boy, you have Malgrobin’s memories.-
Slyfer snorts. –Easier said than done, I may have them, but if I want to remember something I need to sift through nearly three thousand years’ worth of memories while I am only sixteen. Every time I do it, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.-
-It is the place we showed the High Elf Queen yesterday._ Slyfer remembers the blood and gore, bodies everywhere. The old dragon washes the memory away and replaces it with what it looked like before the cursed last battle. The place looks serene, the top covered in a blanket of clouds. Like a basin it seems like it sits in some sort of mountain. In the center is a large lake its surface as clear as a mirror, dark black pebbles makes up the beach. Ancient and very old trees surround the lake. Not far from it is a huge door that looks like it has been carved into the mountain on either side are large stone golems, even experiencing the memory second hand, he can sense the power radiating from them. –We got dwarves to build it for us, we made a deal with them to send five families to serve their entire lives, in exchanged they were allowed to mine in our lands.-
Slyfer frowns, -what did they build for you?-
-…a great library, containing everything we have learned and know about this world. There are things in there, older then the dragon race itself. Only the elders and the dwarves were allowed inside. It was taboo for anyone else. Inside you will find all the information you need in order to break the curse, however you will still need a blood relative of the Wood Elf Queen with that we cannot help.-
A hand on Slyfer’s shoulder snaps him back to reality, everyone is looking at him. Trisha gestures with her eyes to someone that is standing next to him. He looks and finds the High Elf Queen.
He does not know what to say, so he keeps quiet and just looks… The Queen has dark bags under her eyes and somehow Slyfer gets the sense that she had been crying. –Why is she looking at me so expectantly?-
Trisha leans closer and whispers. “The Queen asked if she could see you privately.”
Slyfer nods and gets up, he heads toward his tent and enters. As soon as he turns around he finds the proud Queen on her knees! “Slyfer I witnessed what I now know to have been the battlefield where the white one died.” She takes a deep breath to contain her emotion. “I also know what you are, do you have them. The voices of the dragons like Trisha has the tigers?”
Slyfer nods, “you cannot tell anyone-“
She interrupts, “is he there, Slyfer the white dragon is he in there?”
Slyfer remembers the dragon he had spoken to once before. He nods decoding not to hide anything. “Yes, but he usually blocks me out. He said he was tired and well he pretty much hates everything, Feeling like he accomplished nothing in his life he has grown… despondent and only wishes to be alone.”
The Queen starts to cry at hearing this. “Such a proud being reduced to that and I had a hand in it. We did not appreciate the peace and what he wanted to accomplish. My husband died in the war with the Dark Elves, a war not even I can remember the reason for. He stopped it made us see reason and like he promised me he personally oversaw any grievances our two races had after the treaty. Yet I, we forsake him. Forgetting what he did. I am so ashamed and lost at the time I felt it was the right thing to do.” She laughs, not out of happiness, but hate for herself and what she had done. “In the end he died protecting what he believed in and in doing so inadvertently protected us.”
Even so after the dragons were defeated we were blinded by our stupidity and still believed ourselves safe, then they came the griffins and humans. Instead of facing them we hid away, and countless towns, villages and people were slaughtered causing a rend so large between the people that it will probably not heal in my lifetime the places once busy with commerce plains that had multitudes of tracks, now ly barren and devoid of any races. Traveling this far has clearly shown me the extent of the damage done by them. I condemned Aldowin for wanting to help, I was such a fool. I dare not ask for forgiveness, I do not deserve it. However I will not forsake my oaths again.”
Slyfer can only look at her with a loss for words, it does not last long as something grabs a hold and affects his thoughts. “You are correct and forgiveness cannot be given.” She cringes at the voice, she had heard it before when she had given the oaths and the familiarity surprises and gives her fear at the same time. To her surprise Slyfer’s hair has turned white almost glowing with the life force it gives off and his eyes! –Those eyes only belongs to one dragon!-
She bows even lower! “Lord SLyfer do what you will, I am at your mercy.”
Slyfer smiles. “To see you bow so low is quite refreshing girl. I have heard what you said and yes you cannot be forgiven yet what happened no longer holds any meaning, just like what I did holds none. Everyone has all but forgotten what I dreamed and strived for so long ago. I am but a memory now, and due to the negligence of the ones my race helped I have turned into a bad memory.”
“Lord LSyfer, that’s not true-“
Slyfer’s hair flashes from white to black as the one in him gets angry. “Silence, do not contradict your actions with petty words woman, know your place!” Just as quickly as it went dark, it lights up again. “You will make up for your actions, by serving this one like you would serve me. I have watched his actions seen his temperament. He is young and confused yet his heart is pure for the time being. Heed my words and warning. If he decides to abandon you this world is lost, darkness will take the land on a scale that Chronos can only dream off.”
The Queen turns pale as a ghost. “Lord Slyfer, what…what is he?”
Slyfer snorts, “Something beyond you or my comprehension.” At the words the overbearing aura fades and Slyfer looks around stupidly. “What just happened, where…”
The Queen looks up at him and draws her sword, Slyfer steps back ready for a fight, but she holds out the sword hilt first while staying on her knees. “I give you my sword and my body to do with as you will. I only ask to serve as you vassal if you deem me fit to do so.” She holds out her hand. If you accept this cut my palm with the knowledge that it is an oath of blood and only by losing my life can it be broken.”
Slyfer takes the blade a bit unsure of what to make of this. He clenches his jaw and cuts her palm. “I accept, rise there is no need to stay on your knees.” She stands up however her gaze stays on the ground. Slyfer lifts her chin with his finger. “You promised to serve me, not to give away your pride. DO not shirk from making eye contact it is unbecoming of one as old as you.”
She looks up her, heart lighter for hearing those words, she had prepared for the worst, but this is her lot her way of penance for failing the white dragon and she will stick to it. Slyfer sighs smiling his boyish smile. “I am not sure what just happened, but we have a lot to do.”
She nods, “tell me what to do and I will try my best to do it.” The change in her is almost to much for Slyfer to process for a moment he is at a loss. “For now continue as normal, if your people find out about this they may doubt you and then everything will fall apart again. I do not expect you to follow me blindly since I have much to learn. Give me advice when you think it is prudent.” She nods. “Leave me for now.”
He watches her go and sit-falls on the chair behind him. “What in the hell-gates just happened?”
It’s not long before Luna and Trisha enter the tent. Both look at Slyfer’s dazed face, not sure what to make of it. Trisha touches his shoulder gently and he returns from wherever his mind had wondered. “Slyfer the army is starting to move, the men are here to pack up the tent.” He nods and stands up smiling brightly.
“Let’s move then!” Before Trisha can say anything else Slyfer is already outside. She quickly follows remembering what she needed to tell him.
She runs after him. “Alyfer there is one more thing, Venon said that we will reach the first outpost, belonging to Atlantia before the end of the day, depending on if her messenger reached the capital or was killed by the opposing faction, there may be an army waiting for us.”
Slyfer’s smile broadens. “I can’t wait!”
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Oh gees I have no idea what happened with the font sorry guys. Hopefully its fixed now?
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You know what it just occurred to me, that I have a bus load of characters in my book. You guys should see my laptop screen it is so full of sticky notes with character names and their traits that the rim is barely visible anymore. 9 i started doing it after it was pointed out that i mixed up Ulric and Alric a lot.) take it as a tip for those that are planning or are already writing their own fictions.