The Fall of Talamuk

Amaryll raised a brow and a chuckle came from her lips. “Romantic, hm yes, that could have been what he was going for I suppose.” She smirked from where she sat upon the boulder. The princess tilted her head slightly as Lena piece by piece set her things to the side. She chuckled slightly when Lena told her not to judge. “When have I ever?” She asked and shook her head. The princess couldn’t help but chuckle at the stab that Lena made at the prince. “Perhaps.” She spoke in response. “There may have been wine involved.” She winked slightly as she looked about the place once again. It had been a chance for the two to get away, to truly sit down and speak with one another. Away from the eyes of their parents, of the people. It was relaxing. She remembered spending hours with him, laughing, her head leaned against his shoulder. She never truly got the chance to relax before. Her life was rather busy, between classes, training, appearances, doing as her father asked. Doing this and that. She didn’t have much time for herself and these springs...well that was a time that Amaryll cherished. “I could tell you about the time that we were followed by the Alibaster guard. The king was none to happy to find out where his son had taken me.” She laughed lightly, that had been just before the collapse.

The smile then faded from Amaryll’s expression as Lena spoke of what the princess had gone through. It was true, no one had even stopped to think about what she’d endured. The torture...the beating...everything was like something from a terrible nightmare and then it never ended. She had been staring directly at the pixie as she was lost in her thoughts and once again Lena’s voice broke her concentration. “Right.” She gave a weak smile and slipped from the boulder. She slipped her blouse from her body and her black pants and leather boots placing them neatly in a pile until she was down to her undergarments. Her upper arms had scars on them. Her abdomen and back were littered with small raised scars from the torture she’d endured. The princess took in a breath as she looked to a few of the marks before she stepped down into the water, it was warm and relaxing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten the chance to truly enjoy herself, to sit in water such as this. A soft chuckle came over her lips as she moved over near Lena and sat on one of the rocks beneath the water, a smile split her lips. “I couldn’t begin to tell you how long it has been since I took a descent bath.” She laughed lightly.

Amaryll closed her eyes a moment as she leaned her head back to enjoy the pure silence of the springs. “I think no one has spoken of my captivity because they don’t want to know what I dealt with. Maybe they are afraid of it...” Her voice was soft. “I wish that I didn’t remember any of it. I wish that I could have woken up one day and found that all of this was just a nightmare, a cruel joke...anything but reality.” She gazed up at the beautiful full moon then, her ocean eyes glistened in the silvery light. “The longer that I was there and the more that they did to me, Lena...the more I accepted my fate...I gave up on escaping, I gave up on fighting them...” Her voice was a whisper by then. “There was nothing that I could do. The less I fought the less of a beating I took...on most days, it depended upon who was assigned to my duty that day...” She fell silent then and closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Sorry...” She breathed at the end, her voice quivered.

Amaryll looked to Lena with soft eyes as she listened to her words. The thought that they all knew what had happened to her, that they were given a daily report of it. She couldn’t imagine. They were helpless in helping her and yet they continued. They never gave up and Michael had paid the ultimate price for her freedom. “I’ll never forget Michael.” She whispered softly and lowered her eyes. “I could see it in his eyes...the first time they told him to shock me...he hesitated.” She paused a moment to recount her thoughts. “I saw him hesitate and then the officer of the room took the device and slammed it against my side, he’d cranked it all the way up...I couldn’t make out what he said as he shocked me, but he yelled at Michael.” The princess leaned back and soaked her hair in the water, running her fingers through it, something she hadn’t gotten to do in a long time. “He carried me back to my cell that night and he whispered that he was sorry, that he’d fix this...he thought I was unconscious….but I was awake.”

The princess then watched in awe as the fae lifted the bright shining dust like particles into the air. A grin split her lips as she watched the joy in Lena’s eyes as the wings made of light moved about. It was a glorious thing to see, and then it burst and disappeared. Amaryll listened to Lena as she spoke and she gave a soft sigh. She lifted her eyes once again and listened curiously as Lena spoke of the dragon riders. Of course she’d read of them in the libraries….but she’d never read anything of her lineage. Her brow raised slightly. How was she different from the young boy then? Was he of the same lineage? Her mind began to race, King Stone would be the hurdle in the way of obtaining the object. She shook her head slightly. “Why did my mother never mention the dragons to me? Nor did my father...” She spoke quickly, confusion washing over her expression.

Amaryll was silent as she mulled over the thoughts. Something struck her then. She’d been asked about her magic, many times. Drilled on it. The humans even asked her strange questions about relics, bones...other such items. Were they hunting for the egg? Did they know about it? She’d overheard something about a dragon at one point and only brushed it off. Now it made more sense why they had beaten her senseless in the beginning. It had been horrible. There were days at a time that her eyes were so swollen shut that she couldn’t see. She bit her lower lip to the thought. In a way her parents had protected her by keeping her in the dark. If she’d had the information they would have gotten it out of her one way or another…

The princess looked up to Lena with sad eyes as she looked to the raised scars upon her back. “I’ll find a way to get your wings back….Lena...I promise...”

Then when Lena spoke of the past a soft smile curved up Amaryll’s lips. She’d never known that Lena had been tasked with following her, with keeping her safe. All along she’d thought that she was all alone out in the wilderness. Now to know that she was protected by Lena of all people, that must have been why she felt so safe. Even without knowing. She looked up to the sky once again and let out a soft chuckle. “I’ve always enjoyed the peace of the wilderness. It is quiet. Beautiful. The scents of the outside and the little sounds that the forest make. I much prefer that to anything else.” She climbed from the water and piece by piece she pulled on her clothing. She leaned forward and wrung out her raven black hair before she looked to Lena with a smirk. “I can’t believe you followed me around all those years and I never caught you.” A laugh came over her lips then. “Well, I can believe it. It is you after all. The only female Ranger to take down all of the Talamuk knights in tournament without breaking a sweat.” She chuckled almost playfully in that moment. The smile upon her lips was beautiful, the same smile that she’d held years ago before Talamuk was attacked. Though slowly the smile faded away as she looked to the path. “We should get back, hm?” She started to walk back toward the city then.

“If you sweat in that fight you did well hiding it.” Amaryll chuckled softly as they walked back toward the city. She smirked as she listened to Lena speak of the times she’d stayed hidden from Amaryll. “I never knew that was an ability that the Fae have.” She smiled, “Such an incredible thing to be able to do.” She then looked to her. “Thank you for looking after me, I did always feel safe. Maybe I could feel your presence? Even though I didn’t really know you were there. I’m sure without you I could have gotten into a lot of trouble by myself like that but...” She gazed up at the stars in the sky. “I couldn’t help but want to get away...I couldn’t stay cooped up in the city like that.” She shook her head. “There was never silence within the castle, always something.” She stopped before the door and smiled to Lena.

The princess nodded, “Thank you, Lena.” She placed her hand upon her shoulder as she walked passed her. “Get some rest soon, okay?” She gave another gentle smile before she slipped into the building. She made her way to her bed and by the candle light she read and marked within the book more. Seeing the magical dust form behind Lena’s back had given Amaryll ideas. She would make this work. She scribbled away until she fell asleep with the book upon her chest. Her candle still flickered next to her until eventually the wick burned all the way down to the metal plate that it was fixed to.

**

When the morning came the knights announcing the breakfast had nearly startled Amaryll to wake. She sat up and stared at the men as they turned and left the building. She looked around to the others whom moved about slowly, gathering their items. The princess stood and held her book to her chest as she made her way across the room. “Good morning.” She spoke as she looked up to her father.

Arvin turned and gave a soft smile, “Good morning my sweet girl.” He pulled her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. “Did you sleep at all?” He motioned to the book. “Your candle was lit most of the night.” He commented.

Amaryll gave a soft smile, “Some rest, not a lot though.” She looked up to him a long moment before they headed toward the castle in a group. She gazed to the city, she remembered every bit of it from her childhood visits here with her mother and father. She remembered running through the streets with the prince. Good memories that seemed so far away. The princess followed the group into the banquet hall, she gazed to the feast before them. She hadn’t seen such food in such a long time, it felt like a dream. Her eyes though fell to her mother. Her hues soft as she followed Tourmaline’s gazed to Arvin. She sat down across from Lena and looked to her a long moment before she gave a soft smile. The silence was uncomfortable. Amaryll was thankful for Lena to break it. Her smile only grew as she listened to the fae speak, and she chuckled as her father cracked a grin.

“I will stand for my people until my dying breath.” Arvin spoke and to that several men and women raised their glasses and gave a small cheer.

“The king risen from the dead. We are happy to have you at our table, King Arvin.” King Stone had his own glass rose as he nodded.

Amaryll glanced to her mother whom was busy with the young boy, she spoke to him and helped him build his plate. She remembered being that age, how much love and care her mother had given her. A soft smile curved up her lips as she watched and before she knew it everyone was shuffling from the table. Amaryll looked to Lena finally, “Thank you.” She mouthed as she stood up, referring back to the breaking of the silence. The rest of the meal was pleasant as can be with the kings and others discussing anything from the weather to the food. It was a relaxed meal by the end.

“Arvin.” King Stone nodded. “I’ve set up a meeting room for us.” He looked to Amaryll, “Princess.” His eyes then moved to Lena. “Don’t think you’re getting off so easily Ranger.” He winked as he led them from the room and down the hall.

Tourmaline even followed in his steps, their son had been given to a servant to look after while they discussed the war at hand. She gave a soft hug to her daughter and even to Lena before they moved to the meeting room. The war room.

Arvin looked about the room as he took his seat directly across from King Stone. He glanced to his daughter as she took her seat next to him and then his eyes fell on Tourmaline a moment before he lowered his gaze to the world map before them. “Lena has descent information on the humans. I believe we should start there, hm?” He looked to Lena then.

Tourmaline looked to the Ranger, “Certainly you have more information than us, the humans haven’t even set foot on the soil here because of the harsh waves and storms that surround Alibaster. We are truly lucky.”

Amaryll looked to King Stone with a curious expression. She wondered if he would give up the dragon egg. What would it take for him to part with it? She glanced to her father, she was glad that a night of rest had calmed his anger. Or had it been her words? Her eyes fell back upon Lena then and she smiled.

Amaryll turned her attention to Lena as she spoke of the humans and their machines. The mines that they had dug into Talamuk. She could only imagine the state that the other great libraries and tombs were in. Would there be anything left by the end of this war? It pained her to even think of the answer she knew. Nothing would be left. They would have to build Talamuk up from the ground. From the ashes it would rise strong again. Though without the queen. Her eyes fell to her mother whom was intently listening to Lena, her eyes seemed sad. She watched as her mother’s eyes looked to Arvin and then she lowered her eyes to her hands which she fumbled slightly as if in thought. She turned the ring around on her finger.

Amaryll was the first to notice Rykalis as she entered the room. Her eyes moved to the woman as she stepped up and she looked to the surprised expressions about the room. No one expected the Oracle to speak in the war room. When she spoke of a truth that hadn’t been spoken Amaryll furrowed her brows. She’d spoken of the hidden truth? She searched the old Oracle’s eyes curiously as she continued her words that seemed to cascade through the room. As Rykalis spoke of the petrified egg, of her bringing life back to it she could feel the eyes of the room upon her. So much rested upon her shoulders. More so than she’d ever felt. A pressure that she knew one day would sit upon her, but the past 5 years had nearly drowned her. She glanced to her mother to see a soft smile on the queen’s expression as she looked to her daughter. She’d hidden the truth from King Stone, all these years the queen had kept Talamuk’s best kept secret behind her lips.

“With our help, King Stone, Alibaster will remain safe.” Amaryll spoke up her eyes upon the man that still seemed deep in thought. “Without us. Eventually the humans will grow tired of Talamuk Island. When they become bored and cannot find enough relics to fuel their machines, then whom do you think they will turn to?” Her eyes didn’t move from him. Her voice was strong, noble. “The humans will turn their sights upon you and the fate that befell us 5 years ago will be the same for Alibaster. The relics. The history that lives here. It will all be gone.” The princess then stood and left the room without another word.

King Arvin smirked slightly, his daughter was well worded. He’d always enjoyed that about her. She’d spent many years learning under the Oracle, and learning from the best scholars of Talamuk. “Something to think about, King Stone. Tomorrow I look forward to talking through your demands.” He turned and left the room as well.

Tourmaline had a smile upon her lips as she watched her daughter and King Arvin exit the room. She glanced to King Stone whom looked at her with an almost exhausted expression. “She’s your child, Tourmaline, that’s quite evident.” He chuckled softly. “But I must console with the council before I can make any decisions.” He nodded. “Come love.” He held his arm out for her.

**

“Amaryll.” Arvin caught up to his daughter as she walked quickly through the halls toward the courtyard of the castle. “That may have been the hammer upon the nail my dear.” He smiled to her as he slowed his pace to walk next to her.

“What demands do you believe he will ask for?” Amaryll turned her eyes to her father as she stood at the top of the stairs that led down into the courtyard a gentle breeze kicked up from the ocean. “What if I can’t revive the egg? What then? The new demands would be for nothing, father.” She looked out over the city of Alibaster and sighed softly.

Arvin gave a gentle squeeze to her shoulder and a chuckle came over his lips. “Do not doubt yourself, Amaryll. You’ve always been stronger than you believe.” He took in a deep breath. “I cannot say the demands that will be placed upon us. That egg was a peace offering. It ended a war. It brought trade between Talamuk and Alibaster. It was us giving up the dragon heritage to ensure a peaceful future for our people. To ensure a life for our future daughter.” He smirked as he looked to her. “We will get through this, we will get Talamuk back and...it will be better than it ever was. Hm?” He hugged her from the side and kissed the side of her head. “Don’t think too deeply about it, not until we have the demands upon the table before us.”

Amaryll let out a heavy sigh as she watched her father walk away. She bit her lower lip slightly and shook her head. “Easy enough...” She muttered to herself before she took off down the stairs and into town. She curved through the city and followed a path as if she knew it well. She wound through the alleys between the houses and eventually she came to an old dirt pathway that led from the city. Amaryll paused a moment as she looked to the path, it was overgrown slightly, not many had traveled it recently. She pushed a few branches aside and walked into the thick of the forest at the edge of Alibaster. The princess made her way up the winding trail that took her up the side of the mountain that overlooked Alibaster. She moved swiftly and quickly as if she’d made the trek a million times. In fact, she had made the climb several times with the Oracle in her younger years. As she came to the crest of the mountain she paused to take in the beauty of the sea that seemed to stretch on for miles. Not a soul in sight. A smile cracked her lips as she looked down over the flourishing city of Alibaster, it had nearly doubled if not tripled in size since she’d seen it last.

Amaryll turned then to a large oak that stood upon the top of the hill near the edge of the cliff. She ran her fingertips along the thick ridges of the bark as she walked around it. As she did this etchings within the bark began to glow white and pulse. Amaryll whispered something to herself in the language of the ancients. A spell that the Oracle had taught her when she was barely able to speak. She smiled as she watched the root of the tree pull up from the ground to expose a set of carefully carved stone stairs that led down into the earth. Amaryll climbed down the stairs and as she walked through the hall beautiful braziers lit with a bright white flame that illuminated her pathway. She moved down into the mountain with ease until she came to a large dome shaped room with a large fixture at the top that cascaded the white light throughout. Huge ribs of stone held up the dome of the room. Beautiful artwork lined the walls depicting the wars of old.

The princess brought her eyes to the bookcases that lined the large dome, two stories worth of books carefully arranged. She began her search. She thumbed through the books and pulled several from the shelves and took them to a desk that held a lantern to light her work. She tapped the top of it and a flame flickered to life within the lantern. “Okay...” She whispered to herself as she took a seat. Amaryll began flipping through the pages swiftly, stopping to read the ancients text when something caught her eye. She wouldn’t stop her search to bring Lena’s wings back until she figured out the puzzle. She had several pieces, yet there were so many more that were missing. Alibaster’s texts were much different than that of Talamuk. Some of the pieces of the puzzle would have to be gathered from Alibaster, others she hoped to find within some of the well hidden tombs of Talamuk...if the humans hadn’t fully destroyed her home.

Several hours passed as the princess flipped through the pages making notes and drawing up and image of faerie wings. She made careful strokes with the quill. The drawing was incredibly detailed, something that she’d learned while she was young. She even began to draw Lena into the image. Though there was a large crash from down one of the halls that led deeper into the library. It caused the princess to flinch and the ink spilled over the page. Amaryll lifted it quickly and spun around. “Who’s there?” She questioned as she reached for her dagger upon her hip.

Amaryll looked to the old hallway that led deeper into the earth. No one could have been there. Had she imagined the sound. “Lena?” She asked with a soft voice as she moved forward toward the hall. “You don’t have to hide...” She watched as the braziers within the hallway began to light to her presence. Even in all the years that she’d traveled to this site with the Oracle she’d never gone down this hallway. They’d always stopped at the library. She had no idea what lay beyond. “Hello?” She called her voice echoed off of the wall. A chuckle came from down the hall which caused her hair to stand on end. Her heart leaped within her chest and she bit her lip.

Amaryll turned and quickly climbed one of the ladders to the top of a bookshelf where an old sword rest on display. She climbed down and pulled the sword from the sheath, the writing upon the sword began to glow white from her touch. She then started off down the hallway, her steps were nearly silent. Another chuckle and a rush of air came down the hallway along with footsteps that led away from her. Amaryll could feel a pit forming within her stomach. She wound deeper into the system and soon enough the sound of running water could be heard. The silence around her made her feel uneasy and she began to think that she should have turned back. She shouldn’t have come down here alone. She bit her lip as she came to a huge stone door that stood above her height nearly three times. She watched as it slid aside to open to a stairway that was surrounded by cascading waterfalls. The room was huge, it felt larger than the ballroom of the Alibaster castle. She gazed up to the high ceiling. The room held a blue glow, the water was glowing much like that of the springs. The princess took in a breath as she lowered her eyes to what was before her. Along the back wall was a shrine, heavy braziers with white flames hung from posts at the four corners of the square area that sat in the center of the cave. Statues of elves knelt upon their knees in a prayer position sat at the corners of a strange emblem that was etched into the floor. The eyes of the statues began to glow as the princess stepped closer.

Amaryll looked up to the statue that the strange ritual site sat before. She froze as she looked up to the perfectly sculpted dragon that was perched upon a rock that water rushed around. A pool of water pushed around the entire platform that she stood at the edge of now. She was tiny in comparison. Even the statues of the elves were larger than she was. The dragon was easily 6 stories high. At the base where the dragon perched lay stone eggs. Her eyes gazed up to the blue and white dragon, even the teeth looked real. The princess’ jaw was loose as she took in the detail of the statue. Just how old was this place? Had the Oracle known it was there? Did King Stone know? She knew that Talamuk island had broken off from Alibaster. Had this been the original home to the dragon riders?

Amaryll gazed up at the ceiling of the room as she looked to the etchings in the stone. “Princess.” A voice whispered and it seemed to echo through the room. Amaryll brought her eyes down and she looked around quickly. Fear gripped her once again. She truly wasn’t alone. She held the sword forward and a chuckle came from the shadows of the room.

Amaryll took several steps back toward the stairs of the room. “Show yourself!” She called, her voice strong even though her heart pounded within her ears.

A chuckle came from the shadows. “As you wish.” The voice seemed to come from all directions. A wind kicked up in the room. Amaryll looked about trying to locate this mysterious person. Then suddenly a thin black smoke like stream surrounded her. The sword was ripped from her hand. Amaryll let out a scream as she was lifted from the ground. She could have sworn she saw eyes within the smoke, amber glowing eyes. Scales of a dragon. She could feel the hold of the strange specter upon her as she was placed within the center of the ritual site. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Amaryll.” The voice sounded closer now.

Amaryll looked to her feet where she stood, the black smoke had disappeared. The etchings into the stone around her began to glow white, it scattered quickly toward the edges of the ritual site. Her own eyes began to glow. “Who are you?” She called as she spun around. She was pushed back to face the beautiful stone dragon as a chuckle came from the smoke once again. She tried to move and suddenly it felt as though her feet were cemented to the ground. Her heart began to pound. The water took in a brighter glow until it turned nearly white. Amaryll could feel her power seeping from her body and yet she couldn’t move, she couldn’t breathe. She felt as though she was free falling through the skies as wind whipped around her stronger than any storm she’d witnessed. She let out a cry as she tried to move. “Stop….please...just stop...” She groaned as her hair whipped around her.

“This cannot be stopped.” A voice whispered next to her ear. She could see spirits floating within the room around her, racing around her quickly. “You must be awakened.”

Amaryll lifted from the ground as a white light surrounded her. She cried out as she tried to stop it. Along her arms white emblems began to glow, it spread up to her face where she gained markings like that of the ancestors that glowed brightly. This continued on as the wind whipped around her rapidly, the water in the room suspended into the air and then suddenly there was a burst of magic from the princess. She fell to the ground on her hands and knees, her breaths were heavy, blood dripped from her nose. The white glowing etching beneath her turned red as her blood touched it. She collapsed onto her side as her eyes fluttered. Another wave of magic rushed through the room as the spirits rushed about and seemed to disappear. The eggs at the base of the large dragon statue glowed bright red with white cracks in them. The princess lay in the center of the floor, her eyes fluttered as she tried to move. Her body felt like rubber, her muscles were limp and weak. Breathing was difficult.

**

Earlier...

The oracle rushed through the city, her cane clicked harshly against the stone. She pushed passed people until she found Lena, her eyes filled with worry. “Lena.” She spoke breathless. “Where is the princess?” She had seen a vision of the princess lifted into the air by magic. “The ancients have found her. She will awaken the spirits of old...” Rykalis searched Lena’s eyes as she came to a realization as to where the princess was. “She’s found the dragon shrine.” She grinned, “The dragon Nerak will guide her through the awakening process.” She gazed up to the mountain with the tall oak. “Do not stop the ritual, but please keep her safe, Lena. She will need you after Nerak is done with her. This is just the beginning. She will become so much stronger after this awakening. But first...she must go through this...there has not been a true dragon rider in over a century...it will not be easy..."

Was it an angel? Amaryll’s eyes fluttered, her breaths were ragged and quick. Blood leaked freely from her nose as she fought to clear her vision. She fought to move. She heard the voice, it was distorted in her state. Then the warmth of magic syphoning into her body. Amaryll closed her eyes and relaxed against the being that held her. The only thing that she could see clearly was the bright white of the wings. It took several long minutes before Amaryll’s breathing began to even out. The runes upon her arms began to fade and disappear. Though the white lines upon her face began to soften and eventually deep black lines were left on her face. A flowing beautiful tattoo with swirling lines above her brows that dipped down to the bridge of her nose. It was almost tree like in appearance with lines upon her cheek bones that sprouted outward as well. It was something that came straight from the texts, a tattoo much like most of the ancient elves had.

Amaryll’s eyes fluttered open weakly and she gazed up to Lena, the being that she thought was an angel. “Lena...” She breathed her voice hoarse from her cries for help. She reached forward and touched the beautiful white wing in awe. “Your wings...” She gave a soft chuckle. “Please tell me I am not dead.” She went to move and instantly regretted it. Every muscle fiber in her body seemed to be on fire. She let out a soft whimper from the pain and closed her eyes as she relaxed back into Lena’s lap. She took in a shaken breath. “You followed me again, hm?” She smirked slightly even through her weakness.

There was a brush of air that came through the room again and a shadowy like figure appeared before the two. It was slender and tall with glowing amber eyes and a smokey like body. “You should enjoy your new found power faerie, and such lovely wings.” The figure didn’t have any distinct features about him. Amaryll gazed up to the figure as he knelt before them. “And you.” He reached forward and cupped Amaryll’s cheek. “You’re the only remaining dragon rider.” As he touched her Amaryll’s eyes began to glow again and she sucked in a quick breath, her body tensed as her magic flowed into the shadowy being. The being leaned its head back as the shadows began to dissipate and his features came into view. He wore a noble tunic with armored gauntlets of silver and armored shoulder pieces. Golden inlays and linings were about the beautiful silvery fabric of his tunic. He had exceptionally pointed ears and a sharp jawline. His eyes were a striking amber color as he gazed over the princess. “I am Theris.” He spoke, his voice smooth.

“Theris...” Amaryll repeated, her eyes fluttered as she tried to focus in on the being before her. “The first….dragon mage...” She’d been reading a book on dragon mages earlier in the day, his name was mentioned several times. “First to rise and first to fall...”

Theris grinned as he watched her, “Yes, and you will be the first dragon mage to rise in almost 300 years, Amaryll.” He then glanced to Lena. “You will play a major part in her future...more than you realize.” He looked to her wings. “I do hope you enjoy the gift.” He glanced up and then suddenly he disappeared into a puff of smoke.

“Amaryll!” Tourmaline’s voice echoed through the chamber. She rushed forward quickly and skidded to a stop next to the two. “Is she alright? Lena?” She gazed to Lena’s wings in awe and then looked the fae in her eyes before she looked to her daughter. “Come bring her with me, it isn’t safe for her to be here now, she’s too weak.”

Amaryll reached up to her mother. “I’m fine. Mother.” She breathed before her body loosened and she finally gave in to unconsciousness.

Tourmaline pressed her lips together and let out a heavy breath. “Lena.” She nodded. “Come.” She stood and rushed from the room. As they walked forward the braziers were going out quickly. “Run, Lena, quickly now.” The queen ushered her forward as the shadows raced in on them. “Run.” She called as they rushed through the library and up the stairs to the outside world. Just as they crested onto the surface the root of the tree slid back into place. The queen collapsed to her knees for a moment as she breathed heavily. She glanced to her unconscious daughter. “Come with me.” She spoke to Lena and led her further up the trail into the mountains. They came to a cabin that was seated outside of the city. The queen pushed the door open and walked inside before she paced slightly. “Lay her there.” She pointed to a bed that was in the corner of the humble home.

The queen bit her lower lip. “She shouldn’t have been down there.” She finally spoke. “The spirits can take advantage of dragon mages...” She moved and wiped blood from Amaryll’s lip. She then let out a soft laugh. “She solved your wings though I see.” She pulled a paper from her pocket and handed it forward to Lena. It was the beautiful drawing that Amaryll had made just before she’d heard the sound from the hallway. The black ink covered what Amaryll had written out as the spell, though bits and pieces of the spell were visible. Tourmaline crossed her arms slightly as she looked to her daughter. “Her magic has been awakened.” She spoke, “Her healing you with that magic...you may feel different as well, just be ready for that. Dragon mages back in their time held such...different magic, strong magic.” She looked away slightly. “Amaryll will need to recover. Just, be with her, I have to get back to the city before Fenwick realizes I am not there. Take care of her, and be at the table meeting tomorrow morning.” The queen hugged Lena then, her embrace was tight. “Thank you, Lena.” She held her for a moment longer before she rushed from the cabin.

It took a few hours before Amaryll finally woke. Her eyes cracked open and she rolled to the side. “Lena…?” She questioned softly as she pushed herself up. “What...” She held her hand to her head. Had that all been a dream? It had to be...

A cold settled into the cabin one that would chill even the most warm blooded creature to the bone. The fire within the fireplace flickered as a breeze entered the home and shadows swirled about. In the center of the bedroom shadows swirled swiftly into the shape of a man that waltzed toward the princess. The being reached forward at the chilled wind whipped about around him. Amaryll’s eyes shot open as the being touched her hand, she choked slightly as she stared to him. Her eyes began to glow as he gripped onto her hand, though his hold was loose, she could have pulled away had she wanted to. The runes appeared on Amaryll’s arms once again and began to glow brightly. She took in quick breaths as her magic pushed into the being. Amaryll stood her palms of her hands pressed against the shadow’s palms, she gazed into his fiery amber eyes. The world around her seemed to disappear. The shadows melted away from the being to reveal Theris, a smirk upon his lips as he stared into Amaryll’s ocean blue eyes. “Very good.” He spoke finally as the wind that moved about them settled down. “It will take you time to understand your new powers.” He lowered his hands from hers and took a step back. “Lena.” He looked to the fae with a smile upon his lips. His voice was silky smooth, relaxing.

Theris stepped to her and touched her wings, to his touch the wings glowed a brighter white and a smile curved up his lips. “You too have new found abilities. Do you not?” He grinned as if he was hiding a secret. He moved and sat within the center of the room and looked to the two. “You must be wondering what that room was? Why is it in Alibaster?” He looked to Lena. “I know the Fae wants to know the answers, it’s eating at her.” He chuckled before he looked back to the princess, he then nodded toward the bowl of soup that Lena had made for her. “You’ll need your strength.” He spoke.

Amaryll drew her brows together slightly, she looked to the glowing runes upon her arms that were beginning to fade. “What did my mother mean by that room being dangerous?” She questioned softly as she lifted up the bowl and sat back on the bed, her eyes moved to Lena to make sure that she wasn’t injured she then looked about the room. She had no idea where they were.

Theris smiled from where he sat upon the floor. “Well.” He raised a brow. “It is dangerous, because of the anger that resides within the chamber. Trapped souls.” His smile had faded away. “Much like mine, many others were trapped within that room years ago during the wars. The only egg that was not sealed within that room is the egg that King Stone holds now.” Theris smirked as he watched confusion wash over Amaryll’s face. “I’m a spirit Amaryll, I’ve been floating around this continent for a long him. I watched with pain as Arvin and Tourmaline handed over the egg to secure safety for their yet to be born kin. The oracle knew that this day would come, she saw a great war approaching and if the egg had been on Talamuk Island...your dragon would have been lost. Surly the humans would have destroyed it.” He scoffed slightly. “I digress though. There are 15 dragon souls that were trapped over 300 years ago. Their riders were killed, if the rider or the dragon are killed the other dies. You are connected like a string, if one is cut the other will fall. It was not Alibaster that trapped them and in fact not even the council of Alibaster knows of the existence….the Queen on the other hand, she knew, because she is of dragon mage blood.” Theris stopped to smirk, “But she does not have the gift. She tried when she was young to open the doors to the shrine. But the doors would not open for her. Not like they did for you, Amaryll.”

Theris took in a breath. “Several kings ago Alibaster and Talamuk were at conflict. The Dragon Mages led the resistance against Alibaster. Of course with great power comes great jealousy. The king of Alibaster called upon an ally to the north. The Darkasher Elves.” He paused when he saw the look come over Amaryll’s expression he glanced to Lena as well. “You’ve heard of them.” He grinned. “Good.” He then looked back to the princess. “The old Alibaster king made a blood deal. He traded the life of his only daughter to pay for the Darkasher elves to destroy the dragon mages. One by one they picked them off and their dragons were encased within the mountain...now of course King Stone does not know of this history, it was buried so deep that texts aren’t even written upon the subject.” Theris shifted slightly, his knees hugged to his chest. “The only dragon egg that remained was for the next dragon rider and since then not one elf from the family has been born with the dragon mage magic. This is due to a curse that the Darkasher placed upon your family line, Amaryll. They hoped that by time the next dragon mage was born the history would have been long forgotten and thus Talamuk would never tower above Alibaster in greatness. I knew your family would never forget...” He turned his head to the side, listening. His amber eyes were focused. He growled slightly before he disappeared into a swirl of smoke once again.

There was a whistling outside of the cabin as someone approached. Amaryll looked to Lena with worried eyes. She glanced to the door of the bedroom as she heard the front door of the cabin push open. The person stopped whistling then. “Visitors?” The voice spoke, it was a male voice. “Show yourself.” He ordered. Amaryll grit her teeth slightly as she moved and set her bowl down on the side table, empty as can be. Her spoon clattered within the bowl and she bit her lower lip as the footsteps led toward the bedroom. Amaryll’s eyes began to glow and magic began to swirl around her hands as she balled them into fists, something that her magic had never done before. The door pushed open and behind it stood an elf with silky white hair, he wore a dark cloak with a green tunic and black pants. His eyes widened as he ducked beneath a magical ball that Amaryll threw at him. “Wait!” He exclaimed as he stumbled back his own dagger pulled. His eyes moved to Lena and then to Amaryll once again. “I’m not here to hurt you.” He spoke before he looked back to the princess once more. His expression changed completely then as he looked to the glowing runes and the beautiful glowing features upon her face. He dropped to one knee before her and then both knees before he bowed forward on the ground. “Thank the gods.” He stayed like this a moment before he stood slowly. “Dragon mage.” He looked to Lena a moment to her wings and then back to Amaryll. “You’re the princess of Talamuk?” He asked.

Amaryll was still standing defensively though the magic had faded away. Her brows were drawn together. She glanced to Lena and then back to the strange man. “Possibly.” She spoke in response.

“You most certainly are girl.” He spoke as he turned swiftly and moved to his living room. “I’ve been waiting for the return of the dragon mage for many years, just as my father and his father waited.” He stepped to a bookcase. “Now where did I put that...” He pondered. “Ah.” He grasped the book and pulled it out and flipped through many hand written pages before he got back to the room. “Here.” He handed the book forward. “Sound familiar? It was written by Rykalis. She’s your oracle, is she not?”

Amaryll read over the page. It detailed out everything that had just happened to her. She swallowed and looked back up to the man, “Why do you have this?” She asked softly.

He grinned, “I am Ergo.” He spoke as he looked down to the book, his name was even written into the text by Rykalis. “I’m sort of a different breed of elf. A Half blood if you will. Darkasher elf and that of Talamuk. Though, I’ve been waiting for you for 200 years now.” He smiled. “When I heard what happened during the fall of Talamuk I feared that you were killed. Yet here you stand.” He searched her eyes. “I have something for you. A gift. Something that will help you. Protect you from the angry spirits of the dragons and riders that lie within the relic room.” He moved to the other room and shifted through it quickly, opening an old chest with the flick of his wrist. “Ah yes.” He pulled a small pouch and walked back over to the princess. “It was enchanted by my grandfather. To protect the first dragon mage after the fall.” He searched her eyes. “It isn’t that they are angry with you dear girl, it is simply that they have been cooped up for such a long time.” He reached forward and Amaryll flinched back. “Allow me.” He nodded to her his old face wrinkled as he smiled once again. He reached forward and placed a beautifully crafted necklace around her. It had blue chained pieces that linked together with silver chain that dipped down to a beautifully crafted dragon that when it was first clasped began to glow white. The elf gazed into her eyes. “Good luck to you, princess.” Cracks began to show in his skin, a white magic seeping through.

Amaryll drew her brows together. “What’s happening…?” She reached forward and her hand pushed through the elf, he burst into ashes that lifted and disappeared into the light of the room. The princess stood frozen for a long moment, her hand still outstretched. “Lena...” She looked to the fae, her head was spinning with all the confusion. There was so much to take in. “What does all this mean? What happened? I...I remember losing control, I couldn’t control my magic...and then you...you were there and my mother...” She glanced around. “Where is my mother?” She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed heavily. “I’m not sure I am the right person for this.”

A swirl of shadows came back into the room. “Of course you are.” Theris appeared in the center of the floor once again. “Why wouldn’t you be?” He smirked. He then looked to the Fae. “You’ve a strong fae at your side, princess. You’ll do well. Don’t doubt yourself. Ergo has fulfilled his destiny he has given you your protection against the dark spirits that lie within the dark. You are protected now.” He grinned and looked back to Lena. “As for you...I’m certain you have questions. Yes?”

Amaryll’s fingers ran over the detailed dragon upon her neck as she looked to Lena. This was a lot to take in. More than she had ever imagined….

Amaryll took in a breath as she looked back and forth to the two. She felt like she was in some strange dream and yet she knew it was her new reality. She lowered her eyes to her arms where the runes lightly glowed as she listened to the background sound of Lena and Theris speaking back and forth. It wasn’t until Theris disappeared that she lifted her eyes and glanced outside to the rays of the sun that peaked over the mountain. “It was just yesterday morning.” She gave a soft laugh. “Let me see if I can find something more suitable. I don’t believe it is a good idea for me to waltz into the war room with….this...on my arms...” She stood and glanced in the mirror. “Or this on my face...unfortunately I don’t want to draw more attention to the subject of dragon mages as it sits….from what Theris is saying it doesn’t sound like Alibaster has ever had a good history with my…..kind….” She’d paused a long moment before speaking the word. This changed things. She wasn’t just the princess of Talamuk anymore. She was much more than that. She was the key to the future, she would write the pages of history as would Lena as a Fae with special wings.

The princess took in a breath as she walked over to the wardrobe. She looked to the blood that was on her attire that Michael had given her, her own blood and a sigh came over her lips. She thumbed through the items in the closet and eventually picked a few things out. “Just a moment.” She gave a soft smile to Lena as she slipped into the bathroom. She cleaned herself up getting the dried blood from her body before she slipped into her new attire. Black boots laced up to her knees, beneath were black legging style pants, easy to move in. She wore leather gauntlets upon her forearms that laced up over a black tunic. To top it off she wore her beautiful silver cloak with her family crest upon it. Amaryll found makeup within the cabin bathroom and blended it upon her face to cover up the mark that she’d been given. Soon enough she emerged and she nodded to Lena. “Alright.” She gave a soft smile before she sighed. “I do hope this goes well...” She muttered softly. The rest of the trip to the castle was in silence. Amaryll didn’t have a good feeling about it. She couldn’t place a finger on it, but something didn’t feel right. When they entered the room filled with King Stone’s council the pit within her stomach only grew more. She bit her lower lip slightly as she took her seat when she was told to do so.

Amaryll looked to her mother, whom she couldn’t even make eye contact with. It was as if Tourmaline already knew things weren’t going to end well. She glanced to her father whom hid his worry well, but Amaryll could feel it from him. Then Fenwick said it. Talamuk would no longer be its own. She took in a deep breath as she felt the magic within her surge. The necklace that was tucked beneath her shirt glowed slightly. She drew her brows together as she stood.

“Do you have something to say, Amaryll?” King Stone questioned, his expression was flat, cold.

“Princess Amaryll.” She corrected as she lifted her eyes. “You aim to strip Talamuk of all that it has for a simple gain. You wouldn’t dare to become less favorable than Talamuk again. You’ve always hated how much higher of a reputation my people have had over yours.” She spoke her brows tucked together slightly.

Arvin reached forward and grasped his daughter. “That’s quite enough, Amaryll, come on.” He carefully pulled her from the room.

“We will forgive your daughter for her harsh words, Arvin.” One of the Alibaster councilmen stated. “But she won’t have a free pass forever. Get her in line.”

“I understand.” Arvin spoke, “We will reconvene in an hour after I have spoken with my council please.” He rushed the princess from the room. “Lena!” He called over his shoulder as they moved to the other meeting room that had been set up for them. The council members sat around the table with looks of dismay upon their faces. Arvin took in a heavy breath as she gripped Amaryll by her shoulders. “We do not have the ball in our court. King Stone does and clearly his council is quite aware of that...” He searched her eyes a moment.

“You want to lose Talamuk forever father?” Amaryll shot back her eyes glowed as she spoke. “You want to give up everything that I’ve fought to get back to the past 5 years? Every single time I was beaten. You just want to give up? You want to give up the men and women who died trying to bring me back so that you could be revived?” Her voice was harsh.

“Amaryll...” The king looked away from her, “We’ve all lost many things...but...”

“No...you can’t do this.” Amaryll turned and rushed from the room, her hands threw the door open harshly as she took off quickly down the hall her cloak trailed behind her.

The king grit his teeth. “Lena.” He looked to the fae and then to her wings. “Just...make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble. Please. Bring her back in an hour. Our decision will be made.” He turned and sat down at the table with the men and women that were left of his once strong council.

**

Amaryll made her way to the east balcony that overlooked the sea that led to Talamuk. The island couldn’t be seen as it was too far away but just the thought that it was there calmed her. The power within her body surged as she fought back tears, her markings upon her face began to glow once more. “I can’t believe he would throw everything away.” She sobbed as she fell to her knees. She gripped onto the bars of the railing and leaned her forehead against it. She could feel the mist of the sea. “At what cost.” She breathed. “We will lose everything.”

**

An hour passed and the councilmen stood their decision made. Amaryll came back though not without a harsh glare upon her face. She stood with her arms crossed for a long while until King Stone asked that everyone be seated. When she sat she kept her arms crossed her eyes burned into him. “What...decision has been made?” King Stone asked as he tried to avoid the threatening gaze of the princess of Talamuk.

King Arvin cleared his throat before he took in a breath. “Talamuk will--….”

The doors to the war room flung open then and in walked 10 elven men and 5 elven women. They were taller than the other elves in the room, their eyes took in strange hues of color. Their muscles were toned and their jaws were well defined. “What’s going on in here?” One of the elves spoke, he had bright blonde hair and equally bright blue eyes.

“What is the meaning of this?” A council member spoke up. “This is a war room. You cannot enter without a request to attend.” The elf stood.

“Oh. Well then allow me to invite us.” The elf smirked as he walked over to the man. “Or shall I introduce us first?” He towered over him. “Sit. Down.” He growled before he walked back over to his group. Amaryll’s eyes had widened slightly. She could feel the power coming from these elves and it was evident that none of the other elves could feel it in the room. The elf chuckled slightly. “I am Zion.” He spoke and glanced around the room. No reactions to his name. He huffed slightly. Then his eyes fell upon Amaryll, he grinned. “You my sweet dear.” He offered her his hand and nodded. “Come.” The king placed his hand over Amaryll’s as he looked to the strange elf. Amaryll looked to her father and gave a slight nod before she slipped her hand away and placed her hand within the palm of the elf. “Very good.” He grinned as he walked her over to the group, the elves looked to her and bowed their heads subtly. “Now then. Where were we.” He looked to King Stone. “Ah yes.” He smirked then. “No Talamuk will not submit to your demands, sir king. Talamuk does not submit to the demands of anyone.”

“This is an outrage! Get out of our war room!” Another council member stood.

Zion gave a forced smile then. “I don’t think you understand.” He turned and held his hand out. The elf flew back and slammed against the wall. “You are not in control here.” He then looked back to the king. “Amaryll is the last dragon mage. That egg belongs to her. It is her birthright and that egg is bonded with her.” His voice was demanding. “If you say otherwise you’ll have to speak to myself and the 14 other dragons in this room.”

King Stone took in a breath as Zion mentioned dragons. “Dragons?” He questioned after a few moments of silence.

Zion grinned as he stepped forward, his hand still held onto Amaryll’s hand gently. “Yes. She freed us.” Tourmaline bit her lower lip. She hadn’t spoken to the king about the shrine. No one but her knew. Well Rykalis knew….but beyond that...she lifted her eyes to Zion and he looked to her with a smile. “The egg.” He spoke as he lifted his eyes to King Stone once again.

King Stone took in a breath. “Of course.” He spoke as he stood from his seat and moved to the back of the war room where a chest sat. “It is right here.” He unlocked it and took several steps back.

Zion led Amaryll forward. “Bring it back.” He spoke and gave a nod, his voice was soft, it wasn’t threatening like the way he spoke to the king.

Amaryll glanced to the egg a moment, it was stony and cracked. It looked as though it had been through several changes of hands until it finally rest within this box. She took in a deep breath. “What if I can’t?” She questioned softly.

Zion gave a gentle smile. “You can, you brought us all back.” He spoke as he reached for her hands. His arms reached around her and placed her hands upon the egg. “Just relax and tell yourself what you really want.” He spoke as he held her there for a moment.

Amaryll’s eyes began to glow. A wind slipped into the room and rushed around her as the runes upon her face began to glow once more, light came from beneath the wraps on her arms. She let out a shaken breath as she closed her eyes. She focused and white magic began to encompass the egg as she held it. Zion stepped back from her and looked to the others within the room, the Alibaster Councilmen seemed frightened. There was a wave of magic the pushed through the room, pushing those in their chairs back several inches, the door was flung open. Amaryll fell to her knees her hands upon the edges of the chest. The egg glowed a bright blue with orange cracks that seemed to pulsate.

King Arvin stood slowly. “We will protect your lands, King Stone.” He spoke as he moved to his daughter’s side. “If you’d like. No wager needed.” He looked to Zion whom grinned.

Amaryll breathed heavily, she’d healed so many things in the past 24 hours, her body was exhausted. She blinked several times as she fought to remain conscious. “Lena...” She spoke through grit teeth, she stood shakily and nearly fell only to be caught by Zion whom glanced to the fae and nodded.