Well finally got a chance to continue with the story. I just want to say thanks. Since thanks to you guys I made it to the top 50 (active rank)
I am also surprised about the poll results, but that's what makes writing so interesting and sites like RRl where guys like me can post my attempts at writing so amazing. We can interact directly with our readers and learn from you guys as much as you enjoy our stories.
Anyway here is the next chap. Remember to follow, favorite and leave comments!
62
Trial and Error
Luna hears a grunt of pain when Birtha leans against a pole to rest. They had been making slow progress the whole day and it only caused her frustration to mount. Vinx sitting between her breasts under the armor has also never stopped complaining about how slow they are.
Luna looks at Birtha with a frown. The robust woman seeing the look, snorts. “Girl if you can walk faster with a few broken ribs then you are welcome to complain.” Luna says nothing and only continues to stare at her as if her look alone can make the woman move faster. They have been walking for hours and as they walked the camp changed. It went from mostly humans to strange lizard like creatures and now she is mostly surrounded by stumpy legged men with beards so long it makes her cheeks itch.
She rubs at her soft cheeks again. For some reason she feels worried that she may start growing such a thing. When she asked Vinx about it, the fairy had scoffed at her and said, “girls don’t grow beards.” Still, the fear is there and if it were to grow how would she stop such a thing, these little men obviously can’t stop it! Her fear of beards quickly gets replaced by worry for Slyfer again and she steps closer to Birtha. “Luna will help you.”
Luna tries to fit under the large woman’s arm but her small size causes Birtha to nearly double over in order to lean on her. Birtha gasps in pain and leans back on the pole before saying. “It won’t work girl, you are too short.”
A small man walks past her pushing a cart while whistling something, completely oblivious to their presence. Luna watches the cart for a second before following the man. Birtha watches as they disappear around a corner. She hears a grunt and then some dragging sounds. Her eyebrows furrow in question, but just as she is about to call out…. Luna appears pushing the cart. The girl smiles angelically before saying. “Luna got something that will help, you climb in the cart.”
Birtha frowns, as a warrior how could she get pushed around in such a thing, it would be ridiculous! She is just about to say as much, however when her eyes leave the cart that looks far too small for her frame and rests on Luna again she swallows. The angelic smile is still there, but the silver eyes looking at her, is rather frightening. The girl steps toward her, causing the cart’s wheel to let out an eerie squeal and says still smiling. “Luna suggests you get in the cart…. Now.”
Birtha lets out a breath and turns around, before slowly starting to lower herself. Luna barely waits a second before rushing forward and scooping Birtha up. The cart creaks and for a second Birtha is afraid it will break along with the small control she has over her pain.
A lot of dwarves suddenly stop and take notice as Luna rushes past them. When the girl pushing the large woman in a cart disappears around a tent, they can’t help but give each other a questioning look.
Slyfer still tied to the pole watches as a soldier bends down with a knife in his hand. He smiles, the soldier is more nervous than he is. The blade is just about to cut into his flesh when Slyfer lifts his leg and kicks the man’s arm. Bones crack and the man’s feet leave the ground. Slyfer watches as the silver haired guy jumps out of the way. The soldier lets out a short scream before he is sent flying outside. Crashes and loud bangs stop the scream. Slyfer looks at everyone around him. “Whoever tries to touch me… dies like the dog he is.”
Sorren eyes the strange boy in front of him and lifts his hand, stopping the guards from stabbing down with their spears. -The shackles on the boy’s feet were broken in an instant, why does he remain a captive if he can escape so easily?-
Sorren picks up the chair Alexo was sitting on and sits on it himself before asking, “You can obviously escape very easily, why do you stay here?”
Slyfer looks at him and for a second and Sorren thinks he won’t answer, but then he shrugs. “I have nowhere else I need to be, it is only a matter of time before the other races find out I am here.”
Sorren smiles. “You think too little of my master’s influence…” Slyfer smiles at this and it suddenly hits Sorren, the revelation causing his heart to rise with a bit of hope… only for a second before it turns back into the cold lump it has been since Alexo tore his family apart. “…you are not alone.”
Slyfer breaks the shackles behind him, the wards on them only flaring for a second in protest. He starts rubbing his wrists before placing his hands on his lap. “I am here by choice, mainly because I did not want to start a bloodbath. There are too many innocent people.”
The soldiers holding the spears look at each other, not sure what to do. Slyfer seeing this snorts. “You can calm down humans, I have no intention of harming those that do not try to harm me.” They all turn to Sorren a bit hopeful and questioning. He nods and hears more than one of them sighing openly as they lower their spears and stand a bit further away from him. Sorren is not sure what to make of the thing in front of him, what he does know is that the boy may have answers he needs.
“My name is Sorren, what is yours…. Creature?” Slyfer lays back against the pole and places his arm on one of his knees.
“I am Slyfer, you seem to know your master has already lost.”
Sorren laughs, but it’s a laugh filled with hopelessness. “Lost? Alexo never loses, I am simply thinking of a better way to fulfill his order and I am curious.”
Slyfer raises an eyebrow. “Curious about what?”
Sorren sits forward and rubs his hands together. “The silver haired girl that was with you… how did she awaken without the ritual?”
Slyfer frowns and thinks. The message the griffin was carrying talked about the “blessed” and the ritual needed to awaken them. The bag also had a strange orange powder inside of it. He did not know what it meant at the time, but it is slowly starting to come together.
Slyfer ponders for a while before deciding it won’t hurt him to explain. “When I met her, she was no more than a crazy beast and nothing could be felt from her except blood lust, but after I… talked to her she calmed down and changed into the girl she is now.”
Sorren’s face goes through a series of changes. At first hope, followed by disbelief and finally anger. He stands up. “You expect me to believe that! It’s not possible to change on your own, even I after awakening still need the powder- to, to stay sane and not turn into a mindless beast.”
Slyfer watches as the man marches up and down, speaking more to himself than Slyfer. –Is this it, is this what keeps them tied to Alexo? Is Luna special or is there something else going on here? In truth I know so little about her and her origins.-
Sorren stops. “Can she remember anything, anything from before the change?”
Slyfer shakes his head, “no nothing except a few memories from before they changed her.”
Sorren nods as if what Slyfer said makes sense. When awakening with the ritual, you remember everything and as if that is not enough. The humans “condition” you until you submit.
Slyfer watches Sorren closely as he ponders and thinks. “Where is my hammer?”
Sorren snorts, “it is where you left it.” he was surprised when he saw it, when he tried he was barely able to lift it for a few seconds. It is the last thing on his mind though. –If this boy can help the girl perhaps he can… no Alexo will not be defeated so easily. The man is not weak in the slightest and he knows everything. Always cool, always calm and calculating.- It was Sorren’s first time to see him so frazzled when he faced the boy.
As if reading his thoughts the boy starts to talk again while inspecting his nails unconcerned. “Give up, Alexo will lose this time.”
Sorren paces forward a bit angry with his hopelessness, wanting what Slyfer said to be true, even if it meant he would have to be put down when he loses control and changes form. “How can you be so sure, what gives you this confidence! You do not know him, you do not know what he is capable of.”
Slyfer drops his hand. “Then tell me.”
In a newly constructed tower a heated debate is going on. The princess of the elves slams her hand down on a round table. “This is ridiculous, how can my mother be held captive. I demand that you let her go!”
Great Hunter lifts his hand. “Calm down, it was not our choice, but her own. This was the last thing we needed right now.”
The princess turns to Elyna. “Will you say nothing and just stand there, you who has served my mother almost the longest.” A tear threatens to escape her as she says this. She had been in her room, lamenting at her hair being cut short when the news came. With her hair forgotten she made her way to the council.
Elyna avoids looking the girl in the eye. “Princess, it was not my choice but her own. Even if I wanted to I can do nothing, I am here to find out what they intend to do with my Queen.” Her voice had taken a threatening tone at the end of her speech. Her eyes now rests on a High Elf noble, a man she detests. With her absence he would be the next to lead.
The man lifts his hands to calm them down with a belevolant smile on is face. “Please, please calm down. Let us discuss this and decide what steps we are to follow to sort out this mess.”
The Princess swallows back her panic, fighting to keep her voice calm she raises a question that causes the smile to grow on the High Elf’s face. “What do you intend to do to my mother?”
The man spreads his hands out. “That is for the council to decide now and it will not be discussed here. As soon as this meeting is done I will call for a-“
One of the three fairies who are present steps forward. “You do not have the right to decide what to do High Elf.”
The smile on his face wavors for a second, but is quickly plastered on again. “Fairy, I am sure that your help has been greatly appreciated, but I am afraid you have no say in this matter.”
The fairy flits over to the center her eyes never leaving him. “What crime did the Queen give herself up for?”
A look of confusion is on everyone’s faces. It is Elyna who answers. “It was for her crimes against the dragons and the people that suffered because of that betrayal.”
“Exactly, the fairies should be more angry than any other race, after all many of your people died. Please be assured I Dorand a noble of the highe elves will be certain to make sure a fit punish-“ The smiling elf is interrupted by a snort from the Princess.
She starts to talk her voice growing frantic as she does. “The way I understand out histories, your family were the biggest supporters of her decision to stay out of the war, if you intend to condemn my mother, will you also condemn yourself?”
The man frowns. “Princess there are many factors the needs to be taken into account, at the time we were only loya-“
The fairy lands. “Silence wingless creatures! Your schemes have no place here. The Queen surrendered for her crimes against the dragons and ALL the peoples. So she will be judged by ALL the peoples in accordance with the laws set by the white dragon himself.”
The group around the table start to murmur, some nod their heads, others look around in confusion. Dorand starts to chuckle. “According to this rule a dragon needs to be present. Since there are no dragons available and all the peoples are not here. The trial you speak of cannot be held. Forgive me for saying this, but your plan is filled with folly. To avoid confusion in the ranks we must make a quick and decisive decision. After all, we have an army on its way here. One we cannot hope to defeat. Besides that Slyfer has not been seen for a while now. You people keep saying he has been training, but I am starting to wonder if that is indeed the case.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
More murmurs break out. Great Hunter lifts his hands. “Silence please. We can discuss this matter at a later time; let us first determine what will happen with the shaman.”
Dorand nods furrowing his brows. “Indeed, but I have a few questions. On what basis did you determine that she betrayed us? I have not seen nor heard of any proof save for the fairy here, are we to simply take their words for it? Did countless high elves die on the words of a fairy? Where is Slyfer, since he was the one attacked, it is only natural to have him here and explain what happened.”
At his words the fairy’s light increases and her little face screws up in anger. “I have no reason to lie to you elf. The shaman atmitted her deeds in front of many."
The elf chuckles, “so you say, so you say indeed. However the many you speak of are all loyal to either the Queen or Slyfer himself."
Great Hunter rolls his eyes. High Elf politics are the last thing they need to be concentrating on right now. If it were up to him he would cut of the shaman’s head off and let the Queen out so they could finish preparing for the battle. What happens to her afterward would be none of his concern. After all his own father never went to help the dragons so how could he judge? How could any of them judge accept for the Wood Elves and fairies? “Since we can’t decide on what action to take, I say we postpone the trials, set the Queen free and prepare for battle like sane people would.”
Everyone turns to him. A few clan heads from his side have no objections with this, however, he cant help but see Dorand’s face turn ugly with his statement. “I do not agree, betrayal in the ranks is not a small matter and can cause strife in our people. Weaken us form the inside.”
Great Hunter snorts. “Oh spare me please. We have no time for this, Atlantia is breathing down our necks and you want to start a power struggle for the throne. I do not care who takes command, but we need to prepare. Make up your minds.”
Great Hunter gets up and leaves with those words no longer interested in their petty squabbles. In truth he is worried, worried for his people and worried for the boy.
A squealing wheel slows down as a silver haired girl looks around her in wonder. Birtha feeling their pace slow sucks in a deep breath. This cart was definitely not made for comfort and the speed at which the girl was pushing was not slow either!
Birtha takes a look at what has Luna’s attention. Around them are what looks like heaps of boulders. Here and there a dwarf is clambering over the boulders like mountain goats. Some swear some curse, but mostly they look excited.
“Whats the mater girl, have you never seen a golem before?” She watches as Luna mouths the word.
A dwarf jumps down from a heap not far from them before going to lay down on a bedroll nearby. A few seconds later the Golem starts to stir and the boulders align themselves in a humanoid form. Two jewels set in its head light up and it looks around.
Luna’s silver eyes dart between the golem and the short beardy beard that is laying down. “How are they…”
“Doing that?” Finishes Birtha. “Who knows, dwarves guard three things with their lives. Number one is the beards, number two are there methods for creating golems and the last is their ale.” Birtha shudders. “never try and take a dwarf’s ale girl. It is like unleashing a small demon from hell, if they can’t hit you they will bite you and if that does not work they start thinking of other craftier things and believe me nothing is more crafty than a dwarf out for revenge.”
Luna seems lost in a daze, but even so her legs have not stopped and the squealing cart continues to make its way ever forward. They finally reach a small stone house looking thing. Two golems carrying large shields stomp them down before the woman can enter.
A gruff voice that is swearing is heard and then a bearded head pokes over one of the shields. “Who goes there?”
Birtha tries to stand up, but she loses all intention of doing so when pain rips through her side. “It is Birtha and an… escort of sorts.”
The beard with eyes stares at them, not quite sure what to make of the situation. “What do you want?”
Birtha speaks up again but her voice is laced with pain. “We need to speak with Olaf. It is a matter of great importance.”
The dwarf swears again, he was having a nice nap before these people came to bother him. “The Hammer is busy, what could a women being pushed in a cart possibly know that is important?”
Birtha smirks. “I heard Olaf has been at odds with Alexo, would he not want information that could possibly force him to be removed from the council?”
The dwarf squints his eyes. His beady eyes finally clearing from the nap he was having. They now look over the strange arrivals with interest. His eyes focus and they don’t miss a tuft of silver hair that has come out of concealment next to Luna’s cheek. The beard with eyes disappears. They wait a minute and the golems lift their shields revealing nearly ten dwarves dressed in armor and carrying a large assortment of weapons. The same head that had appeared earlier now has a body and legs and on his head is a helmet that reminds Luna of an egg.
The dwarf looks them over. “You may enter, but any weapons you may have must stay outside.”
Birtha nods, but she does not move. She lost her weapon when SLyfer hit her and Luna had to give in the saber she was carrying when they entered the lizard camp. Having no weapons is what allowed them to get this far without having to do much explaining. The rest was Birtha’s fowl tongue and gift for swearing and threatening anyone who would try and block them.
The dwarfs quickly flow out between the golems and take up positions next to the cart. The one who had spoken from behind the shields takes the lead and they are quickly led inside the stone building. Upon entry Luna is surprised when the ground starts to slope down. They head down a long hallway and then turn to the right. Some dwarves stop to look at them, but they are ignored for the most part. They then suddenly turn to the right and enter a room.
Two of the guards look at each other in confusion. Luna jumps in surprise when she is grabbed from behind and held down. “Gibbel what is the meaning of this, I thought you said we are taking them to wait for The Hammer?”
Gibbel turns around and lifts his egg helmet to scratch his head. “I am sorry Humler, he has our families.” Gibbel’s words is quickly followed by the twang of a crossbow that seems to have appeared out of nowhere. Humler’s eyes stretches in surprise as blood spills out of his mouth and onto his beard. The other guard who seemed as upset as Humler did not even have a chance to say anything before an axe dug into is neck from behind.
Gibbel bends down and looks into Humlers eyes. “I am sorry old friend, but my family comes first. His eyes floats over to Luna. “Hopefully when I return his property, he will release them.”
Humler tries to fight the darkness creeping over him, but it’s a losing battle and soon he starts to shake his body turning cold as he lies dying in his own blood. Humler’s last word fills the room, barely a whisper, yet loud enough for all to hear. “Fool.”
Birtha and Luna are both unconscious. Blows to their heads had made sure of that. Gibbel stands up and walks over to Luna, his face a mask of sadness. “Take them through the secret tunnel. When you get to the exit kill the woman and wait for me there. I will join you as soon as I have cleaned this up.”
Vinx nearly panics, but taking deep breaths she calms herself. If she does something now, she will surely be caught.
Without another word the other dwarves move a small bed set in the corner of the room, only to reveal a tunnel. They quickly disappear inside. As soon as they are gone Gibbel collapses next to Humler. Tears in the corner of his eyes. “I am sorry I tried to have you on another shift as much as I could. He has my family. I had no choice…. I had no choice.”
Slyfer is bristling with anger. The more he hears about Alexo the more he is determined to kill the man. Sorren had spoken at length about his master’s… accomplishments. When he first arrived, he was working under someone a human who’s wickedness knew no bounds. On the second day the man he had been training killed him to take his place on the council. This man was Alexo of course.
Slyfer hearing about the schemes and plans that Alexo has had, cant help but start to feel he has made an error of underestimating his enemy. This feeling is quickly bolstered when Alexo steps into the tent. He pauses for a second as he takes in the sight of SLyfer without any shackles. Still the smile remains. Sorren bows respectfully.
“I have good news Sorren, I have captured your sister and she is on her way here as we speak.” Hearing this Slyfer feels confused. At the angle he is sitting he can see Sorren’s face change from neutral to fearful and then back again.
Sorren bows lower, gritting his teeth. “I thank you my Lord.”
Alexo waves his hand as if it does not matter and saunters over to stand in front of Slyfer. “Well boy do you remember what I told you before I left?”
Slyfer snorts. “You touch me, I kill you.”
Alexo bows down and takes out a knife before starting to inspect it. “We cant have that, after all if you touch me. Your little girlfriend dies.”
The world freezes and everything goes cold. –They found Luna, but how… what?- His brain stops working for a moment and he swallows down the anger and panic threatening to drive him over the edge.
“If you so much as touch her!-“
Alexo snorts and jumps jovially. “What, you are going to kill me? Oh please, I have heard that line so many times. Can’t you be a bit more… original. You see I am a man that believes in facts, I suggest you skip all… well that” says Alexo gesturing at Slyfer in general. “and adopt my way of thinking.”
He falls quiet and inspects Slyfer closely. The boy’s eyes are red and and power is slowly moving around him. Alexo can almost taste it, it gives him the shivers and so much excitement! His smile broadens. “You are no doubt able to kill everyone in this room and under normal circumstances I would be afraid, but here are the facts boy. I have your friend and it is evident you care very much about her. Now that fact is not as important as this one. I will not hesitate to harm and kill her. If you so much as touch me, my men will destroy her so slowly that she will be begging for death. Now , you are going to tell me everything about you, where you come from, what you are. What your stupid plans are and if you don’t I will hurt you.” He walks forward and stabs into Slyfer’s leg as if to drive his point home literally and figuratively.
His excited expression changes when Slyfer looks like he barely registers what happened. The same eyes stare at him. Promising death, promising pain. Alexo steps back, pulling out his blade as he does and starts to shake his head and mutter to himself. “No, this wont work. New fact! You will tell me these things or I will hurt the girl seeing as you don’t seem to be troubled by pain.”
He stops talking when Sorren points at SLyfer’s leg. Alexo looks down and to his surprise the wound has already healed. His face turns to one of amazement… he then starts to shake while letting out feral growl.
He sneers at Slyfer, hate filling his eyes. His jovial attitude does a complete one-eighty as he leans down. “You non-humans disgust me, this power you have is not natural. What made you so special to have it and we don’t? What is so different between us mmm? Can you tell me, can you answer that. I mean just look.” He stabs down again. The wound heals. He stabs again, only to see the same result. “Tell me! What makes you so special! If my wife had this power, if humans could do this… if she could do this… If there are gods, just what did we do to be neglected like this? To not live longer than a hundred years, to not have some kind of special power or gift!” His face becomes sad. “Just what did we do, just what did my wife do?”
Alexo stabs Slyfer again, his eyes never leaving the wound that heals instantly. He takes a deep breath and collects himself. “No matter, I will have answers and then I will have your gifts.” He gestures behind him at Sorren. “See this reject, this failure. He is but one of many of my failures in pursuit of what you people are simply born with… Know this, I will be my own god. My own creator and things like you… well, you will be my stepping stones.”
Inside Slyfer's head the dragons are raging. "You brought this on boy, this is your fault! Now it seems you will face a trial best avoided. Kill them and free yourself, or sit here to be stabbed like a dog!"