indeed be Kassina's trickery! Protect the queen!'
Two heavy objects landed on elven soil together, shaking the ground slightly with their graceful entrance. Rumbles were heard around the city and all inhabitants of the city stared in wonder as nothing but fresh giant footprints could be seen in the grass. The knights held their ground around Queen Andrielle, hands gripping their swords tightly.
“What now, my Queen?” asked Dryden.
“Stay your weapons and remain by my side. If these really are dragons, they mean us no harm,” she replied. The knights followed her order and sheathed their swords, a firm grip remaining on their hilts. As the dragons slowly revealed themselves, there was a collective sharp intake of breath when their forms came into view. Both Karven and Nymira were suited from head to claws in their complete magical dragon armour and stood side by side. Their scales provided them with protection against hand-held weaponry, but they were taking no chances travelling into Marithia with Kassina roaming free, as she was likely to empower her armies with weapons powerful enough to dispatch dragons.
Andrielle spoke loudly and clearly. “People of Veldrenn, let us pay our respects to the King and Queen of the Dragons.”
The entire city fell to one knee and bowed their heads as the dragons slowly retracted their giant wings. There was an overwhelming silence; the only sounds were those of the trees as they slowly bent back into their protective positions.
“Welcome, Karven and Nymira. We are humbled by your presence. I hope that you feel at home in our city. I must say, it truly is an honour to have you here with us. After all, dragons were thought to be extinct-thank the gods that it isn't the case. May I ask, is Vartan really with you?”
“Of course I am here, my Queen,” Vartan replied. The dragons moved aside to reveal Vartan standing behind them, clutching a large wooden chest. Princess Helenia wept with joy as she ran to Vartan, who dropped the chest to the ground as they threw their arms around each other in a loving embrace. Andrielle and the knights stared wide-eyed as Helenia placed a soft kiss on Vartan’s lips. Queen Andrielle smiled uneasily as she saw true love in her daughter’s eyes for the first time, but was torn with the parental instinct of protecting her daughter.
Andrielle spoke with a wavering voice. “Vartan, I can’t believe you’re alive. I thought you were…”
“ Dead, my queen? I thought the same fate had befallen yourself and Helenia.”
Karven turned his great head to Andrielle, sensing the mixed emotions in her body. “Thank you for the warm welcome. Our kind has not always been treated with such respect, and we are aware of the general Marithian belief of our demise, but as you can see, we are far from extinct. It is also a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, Elven Queen Andrielle. I believe we have the same interests and a common enemy, and so we cannot afford to waste any time.”
“Dragons are always welcome here, Karven. Did you have something urgent you wished to discuss with me? To what do we owe the pleasure of this audience?” asked Andrielle.
“We seek an alliance with the elves, whom we respect as we do our own kind. We know of the vicious attack on Greenhaven by the dark sorceress Kassina, and what the consequences of such a bold move are likely to be. We must join forces if we are to have a chance of turning the tide of this war. We are indeed powerful creatures, but are not enough in number to do this alone.”
Andrielle smiled warmly in disbelief, the colour returning to her face. “Dragons seek the help of the elves? Karven, you bring the answers to our hopes and prayers, as we would like nothing more than an alliance with the great dragons. We offer all that we have, along with the promise that our alliance shall never be broken.'
Nymira turned to speak. “Then let it be done and we shall speak the words of the ancients to forge our alliance, as witnessed by the gods.”
Andrielle nodded, slowly making her way to the dragons, who had bowed their heads down to her level. She placed the palms of her hands on Nymira and Karven’s heads and breathed deeply. The dragons spoke in unison, “ Speramus amicitiae nostrae memoriam sempiternam fore. ”
The city’s inhabitants were thrown back as a burst of green radiating energy erupted between the royals. A shiny ball of luminescence now hovered above them as the people of the city staggered back to their feet. Within the sphere was the glittery outline of a dragon, an elf astride it with a sword drawn high. Before anyone could speak, it launched itself through the trees and up into the sky at lightning speed. Karven took a deep breath and raised his head. “Elves of the city, you should know that your trust is well-placed in our alliance. To prepare ourselves for war, we will require a large quantity of the best weapons and armour. I present to you a token gift of our newfound alliance which should buy us all the goods we need.'
Nymira craned her neck down and gently nudged open the box with her nose to reveal thousands of diamonds and gemstones that sparkled within. She pushed the heavy chest forward toward the elven queen.
Andrielle smiled as she was filled with new hope. “People of our great city, tonight we dine and celebrate the start of a new era-the age of elves and dragons united and working together as one!”
The people of the city cheered and the roar of their applause was almost drowned out by the dragons blowing jets of fire into the air.
Chapter 7: Cat and Mouse
“War is a bitter tonic that is hard to swallow. Death and horror will plague my nightmares until the end of my days. Will I ever return to my life as a princess? Am I doomed to struggle for the rest of my days?
Vartan, my love, he lives! We were torn apart by this war, and I can only hope that he doesn’t perish and leave me broken-hearted and alone in Marithia.”
The fire crackled loudly as it sent embers flying into the air. The Jade Inn’s fireplace warmed and lit the chilled faces of those who sheltered within. As a contrast to its usually lively atmosphere, this evening the inn was eerily silent.
Tusdar stared through the foggy window and caught a wolf as it howled deep into the dark night, its furry form atop a mountain shadowed by the bright light of the moon. He brought a cold cup of ale to his lips and drank deeply. He wiped away the froth and broke the silence. “Enough, people — that’s enough! Yes, we are in dark times, but let us celebrate and defy the tyrants that silence us.'
A man in the crowd shrugged. “Celebrate?” he sneered. “What do we have to celebrate, Tusdar? Greenhaven is lost to us, and if our greatest city could fall… What hope do any of us have? It’s only a matter of time before they come for the rest of us. Everyone I know is dead at the hands of that witch Kassina, and you expect me to celebrate?”
Hildar put down a bottle at the bar with a piercing thud, interrupting them both. His smile was infectious and his eyes glinted as if still hopeful. “Indeed, Tusdar, we should celebrate! By the grace of the gods, we still have our lives, and that alone is worthy of a celebration, isn't it?'
A strikingly beautiful woman with long black hair covering most of her face, wearing ornate silky clothing, sat close to the fire, a violin poking out of her bag. Her chest heaved as she sighed, facing the fire, “Perhaps we are all missing the point. Your words are truer than an arrow piercing the heart. Thank you for giving us hope, in a time when all seems lost.”
Hildar poured a half glass of ale and slid it roughly across the floor to come to a shaky stop by her legs. “Sweet songstress, here's a drink on the house. Others may not recognise you, but I would know that famed voice anywhere. Lynn, would you be as kind as to sing for us and raise our spirits?'
Lynn turned her head and smiled warmly. She nodded in agreement and took out her instrument. Taking a deep breath through her full, red lips, she blew the dust off her violin. Everyone’s eyes fell on her in anticipation as she laid her bow into position. As she played the first sweet, soft note, they closed their eyes and thought of happier times.
She parted her lips and began to sing “The Legend of Talonsphere”:
“ In blood of scales and days of kings, came a boy to save us all.
