only creature that is able to use magic, Vartan. I am Karven. I am to my kind what your kings are to yours. You are not yet prepared, or anywhere near ready, to handle all of the answers I am able to provide; But at the very least, I owe you a proper introduction.'
The figure of the man suddenly vanished with a flash. Vartan watched in wonder as a large reptilian tail slowly appeared at the bottom of the mound, covered in dark red scales that shimmered with many colours in the light. Each scale continued to change until mighty Karven’s gigantic body revealed itself. He spread his great wings, and breathed out searing breath that melted the ice around the cavern.
The dragon king's voice filled the caverns. “So you see, young Vartan, you will never need question who or what I am when we meet. But I need you to understand that if you utter a word of our existence, no human or elf will believe your words, and you risk the destruction of us all. Now you must awaken!”
Awaken? Am I dreaming all of this? thought Vartan.
Karven chanted the words “ Mens agitat molem,” and the spell immediately began to take effect. Vartan felt a flow of magic wash over him like a bucket of icy water, and his soul was pulled back into his body at the speed of light.
The horses came to a sudden halt beside the farm, under the pale white glow of the moon. A cheerful Victoria ran to open the door with a lantern in her grip, welcoming her family home with a warm smile. Her voice rang with love. 'Thank the gods you found them my love, come inside and out of the cold…'
Suddenly her face paled as if she had seen a ghost, and she stared at him with eyes stripped of life, appearing frozen in time. The words escaped her lips with a whisper. 'Where are our children?'
Leon stood his ground, with Vartan lying unconscious in his arms. A faint fog of breath escaped their eldest son's lungs, and Victoria sobbed a sigh of relief.
Standing up straight and blinking her watery eyes, her voice broke as she asked, 'And what of little Finn? Where is he?'
The horsemen carried the boy's broken and bloodied body by the arms and legs, carefully placing him on the ground beside Leon's feet. They nodded respectfully and as they left for their horses, the nearest man whispered, 'I am terribly sorry for your loss.'
The breaking of the lantern's glass on the ground made Leon wince before his wife’s cries reached his ears and tore through his heart. Walking past his sobbing wife, his eyes blurred with his own tears. He carried Vartan to his room and placed him down, carefully, on his bed, covering him with a warm blanket.
Walking with heavy steps, he spoke softly as he returned outside to find his wife. 'Victoria… I…'
She knelt in the dirt with her son lying in her arms. She looked up at him and her lips quivered as she wailed, 'Like this? Was he fated to die like this?'
Leon approached slowly, clutching the wooden carving of a knight on horseback in his clenched fist. Dropping to his knees in front of her, he took them both in his arms and held them tight.
Chapter 3: Darkness Falls
“Like moths to a flame, both young and old journey to my tower. They seek my powers to satisfy the many needs of mortals, and I do not ask any of them for their reasons, but the price of blood must always be paid.
Some consider me as a bad influence, but I prefer to see myself as indifferent. To define an act as good or evil is solely to see an action from one perspective or another. A mortal who kills another in the act of vengeance is branded a murderer, but a mortal who kills another in the heat of battle is celebrated as a hero.”
It was nearing nightfall and the familiar chirping of birds to welcome the moon had been silenced. The walls darkened to a shadowy grey with the dimming of the sun. A storm gathered on the horizon, erupting in the distance. As lightning crashed into the earth, a gale of wind was blowing its ominous clouds inexorably in the direction of Greenhaven.
The sounds of laughter, music and drinking were heard from the great city’s many taverns. In many respects, the city came alive at night, and the many food stalls and street entertainers made for a relaxing evening. From the clouds above, it was as if Greenhaven were a swarm of yellow-lit fireflies, interspersed with occasional red embers signaling the brothels of the city.
Arman’s royal bedchambers were built inside the largest of the city’s turrets, and from this one spacious room’s balcony he could oversee Greenhaven and the surrounding lands in any direction that he pleased. He stared into the darkness, the lights twinkling in the reflection in his eyes, and he appeared more like a ghost than a man.
Andrielle was puzzled by the banishment of Vartan, as she had never known him to deceive his king. The queen knew that something was wrong, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. Her footsteps almost silent with her approach, she spoke softly from behind the king. “Arman, my love, what happened today? I am worried about you. Vartan had no reason to lie to you. He was obviously hurt by the bandits he fought off to protect our daughter. I fear you may have left yourself unguarded without him nearby.” She laid a soft hand on his arm. “Are you certain beyond all doubt that the right decision was made today to banish him?”
He turned to lay a gentle kiss on her lips and took her body so tightly in his arms that he could feel her heartbeat pound against his chest. He looked her deep in the eyes. “Yes, of course I am certain. You never need to fear my judgement, for there is nothing in this life that I do without good reason. No matter what may happen to us, I want you to know that I love you dearly. But if anything were to happen to either of us, then the others would never be safe in Greenhaven.” Arman breathed in to let out a heavy sigh. “I put an escape plan in place with the guards long ago. Promise me that you will flee Greenhaven if the need arises. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you.'
The king continued to stare into her eyes, desperately searching for an answer within.
“Arman, why do you speak of this? What's wrong?” she asked, her furrowed brow revealing her concern.
The king looked away from her gaze and his eyes danced around the floor as he answered with a strained voice. “I have to consider all possibilities, and to protect our family. I just need to know that you would be safe, as I would never take an attack on any of us lightly. Just promise me, Andrielle- please allow me this simple request.'
“Of course, Arman. I give you my word,” she replied softly.
He smiled, relaxed his shoulders, and turned back to the view of the impending storm on the horizon, which swiftly gained ground like a charging stallion. It was as if some force dragged the storm forward at an unusually rapid pace.
“I cannot recall much of earlier events today, and I grow tired. I may be falling ill, as it feels as if a cloud fills my mind when I try to remember what happened in the throne room. Tomorrow I shall seek a healer. For today, I suggest you enjoy a hot bath for the evening, and I shall eagerly await your return. I need some time alone to regain my thoughts.”
“As you wish, my love,” she replied. She suddenly realised she had been digging her fingernails into her palm and thought, Maybe he's right about that bath.
She walked out of the door to the arm of a servant who waited to escort her to the bathing chambers. Arman waited patiently until he could no longer hear the sounds of footsteps down the tower’s stairs, and he gazed further into the horizon. The flashes of lightning were soon followed by loud, growling rumbles. With another flash, he swore he saw dark eyes in the clouds staring back at him. But with the next, they were gone.
Arman shook his head in confusion and wiped the sweat from his brow. “I really must be losing my mind,” he whispered to himself. The cool, moist breeze whipped past his face, and his long hair fluttered behind his head. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then reopened them with a determined gaze.
Arman spoke loudly and firmly into the night. “I know you are there. Do you really consider me a fool who would ignore a warning from my most trusted knight? You know so little and yet you act as if you have it all figured out. I know what you seek to gain, but you should know this, young prince-that you will need to cross swords to
