A New Age

Greed was something of a festering wound that seemed to follow the existence of any living creature upon the planet. No matter how much gold, no matter the amount of spoils…it was simply never enough. Power led greed and the two were thick as thieves. Like a shadow power would fuel greed causing the desires to grow within a ruler. There could never be enough. Nearly 25 years ago the humans in a distant kingdom reached out to the Elven kingdom of Armalon. They sought to open trade with the elves. To create a pact. It went well for 5 of those years. The humans were welcome in the city of Armalon. The beautiful castle that overlooked the endless expanse of the sea, nestled against the safety of the mountainous terrain and the treacherous cliffs.

But like many arrangements, greed sought to end the peace between the two races. The human King of Alexander sought the relics of the elves. He sought to control the dragons with dwelled within the northern mountains of Shaeras. It was one action that began the war. One alone. The king of Armalon, Lhoris Vamaer took a small group of humans within the caverns of the dragons. It was time for the annual offering, it was what kept a peace between the Elves and the dragons. King Alexander demanded that a troop of his guard would accompany the king and a few of the elven guard. Lhoris agreed, it had been 5 years of building trust. He took the humans along with him and made for the trek into the mountains.

Days passed. The group did not return. Raenisa Vamaer, the queen of Armalon gathered a group of elven guard to conduct a rescue mission. A storm had socked into the northern mountains of Shaeras. She feared that her husband had been caught in the storm and with the added humans they were unable to make the trek back. She feared for the worst. But what she feared for was nothing compared to what they would find. She waited patiently for her guard to return. The queen stood upon the balcony of the castle and overlooked the sea as it lapped against the cliffs below. It was on the fourth day that something horrible happened. A deep rumbling roar sounded in the distance. Raenisa stood on the balcony that faced the north, her brows furrowed, within her arms she held a young child, her child. From the mountains a deep black dragon raced through the air. He snarled as he flew directly toward the castle.


As the dragon sucked in a breath the flicker of fire could be seen within his jaws. “No!” Raenisa cried as her amber hues squeezed shut. She held up her arm as she clutched her child close to her chest. A burst of flames came from the throat of the dragon. The heat washed over Raenisa like that of a bonfire. Lightening crackled as an orb of power shielded her from the attack. She grit her teeth as her child began to wail from fear. Raenisa took several steps back as the flames stopped. She gazed up to the dragon. “We have given our offering. This is our agreement!” She shouted.

The dragon snarled as he landed upon the large balcony. The carefully etched stone groaned from the sheer weight of the creature. “You my queen have broken the agreement.” The dragon growled as his ember eyes seemed to glow like that of the coals of a fire. Between some of his scales the same glow fluctuated as he stood before her. “I should level this city.” He warned, his voice boomed.

Raenisa took in a breath as she clutched her child to her chest, her body trembled. The dragons for years had stayed away from the city. She remembered as a young child the dragons would wreck havoc upon the city. That was until her grandfather had reached the agreement. The offerings. The sacrifices. It was a way of her people. It stopped the madness. It helped the two beings come to an understanding. To share the mountains. “What do you mean Ezzas. We have done as you’ve asked.” She stood her ground, though fear gripped her, the queen knew she could not back away from the dragon. Her city was vulnerable. She couldn’t risk the loss of lives. If the city were to be attacked by a dragon now…the humans could very well turn upon the elves and blame them.

The dragon growled once again. His snout near Raenisa whom had her back pressed against the cold stone of the castle. “You took something from me.” He snarled. “Consider this a warning. I have taken the same from you. If you ever break our pact again. This entire city will cease to exist.” With that the dragon took to the skies.

Raenisa shuddered, tears brimmed upon the edges of her eyes. “Shh child.” She hugged the child to her chest. “Shh.” She looked to the darkened areas of the balcony that the dragon’s fire had touched. The soot.

“My queen!” A knight approached from within the castle. He stopped before his queen, his eyes soft. “Eldrin has returned…” He looked to the dragon in the distance. “My queen…?”

Raenisa turned to the knight. She rocked her child and drew in a breath. “Good.” She spoke, “Perhaps Lhoris will have answers for why the dragons are angry with us…” The knight drew in a breath. He then shook his head and looked away from his queen as she slipped from the room. She walked through the pristine halls of the castle. Her amber hues glanced about to the guard that walked in the hallway. There was a cold that hung in the air. Something terrible. As she stepped into the beautiful throne room her breath caught within her chest. She rushed forward as soon as she saw Lhoris…he lay upon the floor of the throne room. His skin was pale, he wasn’t breathing. Hot tears began to rush down her cheeks. One of the maidens carefully took the young child from her arms as she began to sob. “Tell me what happened.” Her voice trembled. She looked to her captain of the guard Eldrin.

The captain drew in a breath, “There was only one of our guard left alive when we arrived to the caverns. The humans turned on us, my queen. They killed the queen dragon…took her scales…they took our relic that we offered to the dragons…”

It made sense now. Ezzas had taken from her, what was taken from him. Raenisa shuddered as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Kill them. All of them.” Her voice was cold. “I want every guard of Alexander out of our city.” Her voice broke as she stood and rushed from the room. The queen took to the streets with her elven guard. It was a bloody scene. Some of the guard pleaded for mercy. Though most fought back, most were prepared as if they knew this was coming.

The queen stood before a young child whom held his arms up, tears rolled down his cheeks. He cried as the queen held a ball of lightening in the palm of her hand. She stopped and looked around to the madness around her. Her people moved through the city killing each and every guard within sight. The ball of lightening disappeared from her hand as she drew in a breath. She reached her hand forward. “Come child.” She spoke as she lifted him from the ground. “You did not choose to come here.” She wrapped her arm around his shoulders. “Come with me, child.” She walked him through the carnage. There were only a few children that were with the guards. Many of the humans had left. Without Raenisa noticing. They knew. They knew that the elves would turn on them when they discovered what happened. The innocent lives were spared. Many of the elves were against it. Angry with the treachery that had happened.

**

20 years of war takes a toll on a society. It takes lives. It takes happiness and turns it to fear. The kingdom had suffered many losses. The humans were strong now with the scales of the dragon queen, and the relic of great power. Their magic was corrupt. It was dark. The humans sought to use blood magic to win this war. The elves did not hold such a dark magic and thus many succumbed upon the battle field. When the letter of proposal arrived from the Vikings it was given to the queen as she stood within her study. She lifted her hues to look to the young knight that brought her the letter. “What’s this?” She questioned the young man.

The knight that stood before her was a blonde haired blue eyed human. The boy she’d saved 20 years ago. He bowed deeply to her. “My queen, this is a letter from across the sea. Brought by a raven.” He straightened and looked to her.

She offered a warm smile to him, “Rhys, thank you.” She spoke and then she slipped her finger beneath the rough wax seal. She opened the letter. A slight chuckle came over her lips. It was written in elvish. But, some of the words were not used in the exact way that the language called for. But she could read it non-the-less. “Well. It seems that perhaps the gods are watching over us. Perhaps it is time for our suffering to end.”

Rhys looked to the queen with curious hues, “What is it?”

Raenisa looked to the young knight as she moved to her desk and took a seat. “It seems the Vikings from across the sea are in need of a deal. We can make such a deal and if their fighting is anything like what I have heard, perhaps we will be able to pull through this and stop Alexander.” She smiled then, the queen didn’t smile much. Not since the death of the king. So to see her smile caused Rhys to smile as well. “Get the captain for me. Eldrin will need to deliver this letter as well as the gold to these people.” She spoke as she began to write upon a piece of parchment.

As Rhys turned to leave the room the door pushed open and in walked a beautiful young elf. Her hair was silvery like the queen’s locks, but her eyes were a piercing icy blue like that of the fallen king. She wore light leather elven armor that was carefully crafted. She looked to Rhys and offered a smile, “Rhys, hello.” She spoke.

The knight bowed deeply, “Princess.” He replied. “My queen.” He bowed again and turned to leave the room.

The queen looked up from the parchment. “Amara darling.” She stood and stepped to her and gave her daughter a warm hug. She frowned slightly as she saw a scratch upon the princess’ cheek. “What trouble are you getting yourself into today, dear?” She questioned.

The princess’ hues were drawn to the letter upon her mother’s desk. “Just archery. The feather caught my cheek.” She smiled as she stepped forward. “What’s this?” She questioned as she grasped the letter from the table. Her brows furrowed as she read through the misplaced words. But then she looked to her mother, “Vikings?” She questioned. She’d never heard of such a thing. The Vikings had all but been forgotten.

The queen nodded and then smiled to her daughter. “This is our answer to ending the war, my dear.” She stepped back to her desk then.

The door pushed open. “My queen.” Eldrin walked in, his brows furrowed. “With all due respect.” He looked to the princess. “Princess.” He then bowed. “Are you seriously considering opening us up to the humans once again? Was our last arrangement not enough? Look at what this has done to our people. I beg of you do not do this.” Eldrin crossed his arms over his chest. “Our numbers had dwindled. We are losing more and more of our people with each passing month. We cannot afford to fall into another war. One is enough. Lhoris would not agree with this my queen.”

Raenisa listened to the captain. Though the moment he brought up the fallen king her hands balled into fists and she stood swiftly. “I am your queen. You will not demand of me to do anything. I am trying to save our people. If we continue as we have we will be snuffed out before the end of the next harvest moon. We have no choice but to trust them.” Her eyes swirled with magic as she grit her teeth slightly. “Do not speak as if you know what Lhoris would want. He wanted the agreement between the humans. IT was he who trusted them. I begged him not to allow them in. But I trusted him.” She sat down at her desk and let out a long breath. “I will finish this letter. Gather 2,000 gold. You will take it to them. This is our only choice for survival, Captain Eldrin.”

**

The next several days the queen spent most of her time upon the balcony. Awaiting the answer. She paced. She remembered the day that she stood upon the northern balcony with Amara in her arms, the day that the world changed for her. When the view of the ships upon the horizon caught her gaze her jaw loosened slightly. The nature of the ships, how swiftly they cut through the waters. It was unlike any ship she had ever seen. She watched as the men and women unloaded far beneath the castle. She watched the group march off toward the plains.

“Mother!” The princess came out onto the balcony. “They’re here. Did you see…?” She stopped as she saw the ships within the ocean. “Do you think…they can really help?” Amara questioned softly.

Raenisa looked to her daughter and gave a soft smile, “It must help my dear. We are out of options.” She turned and walked into the castle. “Come on, we must meet our new friends.” She made her way through the castle and into the throne room. The queen waited patiently. Many did not agree with her decision. But, her people would follow her to their grave. They trusted her to make the right decision and to save them.

Raenisa sat upon her throne, her daughter upon the throne next to her. When the viking entered the room with her captain leading the way she watched how the woman walked. She furrowed her brows slightly as she looked over the clothing and leathers. Savages had been the term her grandfather had used. When Eldrin bowed she watched as the woman bowed, it wasn’t well practiced. But it was a bow at least. She stepped down from the throne and stood before the woman as she spoke. Her expression was cold, her amber hues seemed to burn like the embers of a fire. “You make a great effort to speak our language smoothly. I admire that. None of the other humans even tried to learn our language.” A small smile broke her lips finally. “Yes the deal stands. We will pay you the remaining 8,000 coins and the spear head that you seek in exchange for your support and the end of this war.”

The queen then nodded to her people, “We will additionally open trade with your people and gift land to you. So that you have somewhere upon this land to call your home. If you truly can end this war for us.” She could feel the tension in the room. No one trusted this outsider. “You are our last chance at survival.” She spoke before she looked back to Amara a moment. The young princess was looking to the viking woman in awe. “Captain, thank you for leading her and her people here.” She spoke and looked to the knight, whom still held an uneasy smile. “Seer, Rhys shall show you to the quarters that you will be allowed. Then we shall feast later. I want your warriors to be well fed, I’m certain it was a long journey across the sea.”

“My queen.” Eldrin stepped forward, challenging her though as soon as the amber hues of the queen turned to look to the captain he took a step back and bowed his head.

“Rhys.” The queen spoke as she looked to the young human knight.

Rhys nodded and stepped forward, he bowed deeply. “I am Rhys. Come with me.” He turned and led Tora away from the throne room.

“Are you so certain my queen. They are savages. I have seen the way that they live.” Eldrin spoke up.

Raenisa looked to him again, “You challenge me again, Eldrin and you will find yourself out of the guard.” She spoke before she stepped swiftly from the room.

**

Rhys was silent as he walked along. He glanced to Tora several times. They made their way up a few flights of stairs and into a different wing of the castle. He pushed open the doors of a room. It held a balcony that overlooked the plains and the ocean. The smoke from the Viking camp could be seen in the distance. The room had a fireplace within it that crackled and popped. The bed was carefully crafted with elven designs. It was as lavish as the room that the queen resided in. “This will be your quarters. The queen will expect you to reside here.” He cleared his throat, he seemed uncomfortable. “You must be exhausted from your travel.” He asked as he looked to her with his crystal blue hues. “Do you have any questions?”

Rhys raised his brows slightly. This woman, this viking, she didn’t want to stay in the castle? She’d turned it down to spend the nights with her people in tents in the plains. His jaw loosened slightly as he looked to her. As she asked for the five barrels of ale he looked to the coins that she placed into his hand. When she slapped him on his back he stared after her in disbelief. He looked back to the coins and drew in a breath. “Ale…right…” He pressed his lips together slightly. He stepped from the room and began walking down the hallway his heel steps echoed against the stone walls.

“Did she like it? Her room?” A voice came from behind him.

Rhys stopped and turned he bowed his head. “Princess.” He spoke and then he drew in a breath. “I…believe so.” He turned and began walking once again.

“Was she not impressed with the room? Mother was quite certain to ensure that the room had everything that one could ask for.” Amara rushed to catch up with him. “She’s strange.” She spoke after a moment of silence. “The furs…” She shook her head. “It’s quite…rough, don’t you think?” She looked to Rhys.

He drew in a breath and looked to her. “She liked it, she just doesn’t want it. She wants to sleep in the tents with her people.” He replied and gave a weak smile. “And she is…different, yes.” He gave a chuckle. “I’m not so certain your mother knew what she was inviting into the castle. That woman requested me to send 5 barrels of ale to the camp. Five.” He held his hand up. “I’ve never heard of Vikings before.” He shrugged. “But, the queen does believe that they will be able to end the war. I trust your mother with my life.”

“You ought to.” Amara smirked to Rhys. “You’re one of 3 humans left in Armalon. I’m glad you stayed Rhys. I’m glad you didn’t leave with the others a few years ago. I…am sure they were killed by Alexander. My mother never received a letter from them…not one.”

“I wouldn’t leave if I was told to leave. This is my home.” Rhys smiled. “Now if you’ll excuse me…I have to go buy ale for our new friends.” He bowed his head and stepped down the stairs toward the courtyard of the castle.

Amara smiled as she watched him leave. She turned and walked up a spiraling staircase and found her way to her mother’s study. “Mother?” She questioned as she walked in. “Mother?” She looked about. The door to the balcony was cracked slightly. The princess walked forward and stepped out onto the balcony. It faced the plains. Her mother stood with a full glass of red wine, her amber hues stared to the smoke that rose from the plains. “Are you alright?” Amara questioned then.

The queen turned her hues to her daughter, “Amara, my dear.” She spoke as she drew in a breath. She sipped from her glass of wine and sighed softly. “I’m just hoping this was the right decision. That’s all.” She clicked her tongue slightly. “She already left. See?” She pointed down to the pathway where a small figure with a white cloak could be seen walking the path. Raenisa drew in a long breath, “I fought your father when he wanted to make peace with Alexander. Certainly there was no war before the king reached out to us. But they left us alone, and we left them alone. I begged your father to keep it that way. But he invited the king.” She swirled the wine in her glass and took a long sip. “We should never have to go through this world alone….that is what your father always told me.” She glanced to her daughter then. “But look at the mess we are in now. Eldrin believes that this is only another mistake. Tell me, how many of our people fear the same? He is the only one foolish enough to stand up to me, I admire him for that.” She took another drink.

Amara stepped to the balcony slowly and placed her hands upon the cool stone. She gazed down over the plains. “Rhys said she doesn’t want the room, she wants to sleep with her people…” She spoke and tilted her head slightly as she watched the woman walking along the path in the distance. Her mother never spoke of her father to her. Not unless she had a few glasses of wine. She looked to her mother with soft eyes and sighed. “Mother, no one believes that any good can come from an alliance with the humans…not after what happened.” She shook her head. “But I believe you. Rhys believes you.” She offered a gentle smile. “You’re right, if we continue like this we will die. The humans will gain access to the mountains…to the dragons…and as strong as the dragons are with some of the black magic that the humans have gained…I am not certain the dragons could survive. They would trap them in the caverns, I can guarantee that.” Amara was well spoken for her young age, but she’d grown up in a world at war. She had to grow up quickly. She did not have time for idle banter and fun games.

Raenisa sucked in a breath and lowered her hues slightly. “No one will trust that this is the right decision.” She spoke, her hues landed upon her daughter. “I am glad that you have trust in me. That is all that I need.” She nodded. “We will get through this, Amara.”

**

The time passed and soon enough the hall was filled with the delicious smell of food. Many citizens from within the city came to see who these new comers were. Some looked fearful, others seemed confused. How could their queen trust humans again? The queen walked around the room, she spoke to many of her people, she gave them words of encouragement. She asked for their trust. Raenisa asked so many times for the trust of her people that it hurt to ask again. Though soon enough the Vikings began to arrive. Her guards were on high alert. They had taken each and every weapon from the Vikings as they arrived.

Raenisa stood in a beautiful black dress with amber accents that caused the color of her hues to pop. It hugged her figure and really showed off the elvish designs that the Armalon people were known for. She looked about the room as the Vikings entered. Tora was no where to be found. Her lips pressed into a flat line. How could the leader show up after the rest of her warriors? She drew in a breath and looked about the room.

“She’ll come mother.” Amara spoke. The princess sat at the table, she looked across to the empty seat that was held for the Seer. “Why don’t you sit?” She took her mother’s hand and offered a gentle smile.

The queen looked to her daughter and sighed softly. She gave a soft smile and then sipped from her wine. She had already had quite a bit of wine this evening. The stress of it all. She looked around the room to the Vikings that carried on. They were much louder than her people. It was almost overwhelming in a way. She’d heard stories from her grandfather when she was young of the Vikings. But to see them in person. It was quite different. “How does she show up late but her own people are on time?” She asked in a hushed tone as she looked to her daughter.

The princess sipped from her own glass of wine then before she offered a smile. “Why don’t you ask her?” She spoke as her eyes caught Tora weaving through the crowd. Amara gave a smile to push away the tension that she felt from her mother.

Raenisa turned her hues to lock on the woman. She could feel the eyes of the other elves looking to her. It was embarrassing, to call for a feast and for the guest to show up late. It was rude. Distasteful. It was not something one would want to do to the queen. Though the queen simply looked to the woman as she sat at the table. This woman and her people were the only chance her people had at survival. Raenisa furrowed her brows as the woman spoke of business.

“Oh I’m certain that there is plenty of settling in to do.” Amara spoke and offered a friendly smile to Tora. “After such a long travel. Right mother?” The queen was silent. Raenisa watched Tora carefully, her trust was not there. She watched as the woman lifted her glass of wine. Before she could question anything the room erupted in the cheer. It shook her slightly. Her eyes widened, she nearly dropped her glass of wine. The princess grinned and a laugh came over her lips. “That is quite an interesting word. We do not toast like that, hm, mother?” She looked to Raenisa again.

The queen drew in a breath, “It’s quite loud.” She replied and looked to Tora. “Though, if it is a cheer of joy then I am glad.” She forced a smile. She watched the woman as she spoke of her people as dogs. Her brows rose slightly. “If the plains are what you wish to acquire at the end of this agreement, that is no trouble. My people prefer the mountains.” She spoke and then looked about the room. Several elves were still watching their queen. “Musicians?” She questioned. “Yes of course. We have plenty of that.” She motioned for one of the servants to come over. The servant poured a fresh glass of wine for Tora.

The queen then stood. A silence began to spread across the room as the queen gazed out over the sea of people. She drew in a breath as she waited patiently. Her cold gaze looked over those that still spoke with one another. But soon enough the room fell into full silence. She gave a smile then, it wasn’t a true smile, but it was something. “My people.” She spoke in elvish. “These people are here to guide us to the end of this war. They will help guide us out of this darkness.” She spoke, her elvish was beautiful and smooth. “They are the shield that we wished to find, and the blade that we can no longer hold against Alexander. This is our answer. We will once again break free and live our lives.” Raenisa spoke and raised her glass. The elves gave a small cheer and raised their own glasses before they took a drink.

The queen then looked about to the Vikings. “Your people have been something to be reckoned with. A force that is unstoppable.” Her words were spoken in the Nordic tongue, though her elvish accent made some of the words hard to understand. “I am thankful for each and every one of you that sits within these castle walls. I am thankful to your leader, Tora, whom has brought you to us. Your people will have a bright future among my people, I can promise you that. This will become much more than just a simple arrangement. In time you will see. Now please, enjoy the food, enjoy this night.” She raised her glass and she flinched slightly as one of the Vikings called out Skol and the rest joined him. The queen stood there almost frozen for a moment before she sat down. The food was brought out by servants then and placed in huge platters upon the tables.

Raenisa turned her hues to looked to Tora. “It isn’t custom to be late when the queen invites you to dinner. I imagine you were not aware of that.” She spoke before she sipped from her wine. As she spoke musicians began to play soft elvish music with stringed instruments. She drew in a long breath and shut her eyes a moment. “Eat. Enjoy.” She spoke.

The princess looked to her mother a long moment. The woman was always cold with others. Very few saw the sweet woman that the princess knew, and even Rhys for that matter. “Skol.” She raised her glass and gave an adorable smile. She then took a sip of the wine. “So you plan to stay with your people rather than the castle? Is there something that we did not provide that you were looking for?” She questioned to start conversation.

Raenisa watched Tora as the woman apologized again. Her amber hues locked on her. She gave a slight nod and then looked to her daughter as the question was posed. Her hues looked back to the Seer then. Amara smiled as she ate a few bites of her food. She seemed to ponder the response for a moment and then a smile split her lips again. “Our people are not much different than that. I am trained to fight in the front lines too.” She spoke and then grinned, proud of herself. She was one of the most skilled archers in the city, following in the footsteps of her father.

The Queen smirked then as she looked to her daughter. “But, you have responsibilities dear. Remember? You do not go to war simply because if we were to lose you, then who would become the queen one day? Hm?” She raised a brow and looked back to Tora. “Politics, certainly. The room is always open for you if you choose to accept it. It isn’t in our way to offer such accommodations to an outsider. But I felt that you were deserving of it.” The queen spoke, her words were smooth even though there was a slight pink glow to her cheeks. She took a drink of her wine, finishing off the glass.

“You’ve never had a grape?” The princess questioned, a chuckle came over her lips. “That isn’t just any grape. It is an ice vine grape, they only grow to the north of here in the mountains. These are a delicacy of our people. You wouldn’t find these in a human town, or anywhere else really.” She smirked slightly. Raenisa turned her amber hues to the Seer as she spoke again. Her brows tugged together in thought as the proposition was made. Her eyes lifted to look to Eldrin whom stood across the room, the knight was watching his queen with careful eyes. There was a long pause as the queen seemed to think over the offer. The princess shifted slightly. “I could go.” She spoke up, “If you don’t want to mother.” She looked to Tora and smiled. “Your culture seems to be quite different. I’ve never seen such leather work.” She looked over Tora’s cloak. “It is a completely different craft from our own. Fascinating really.” Her eyes caught her mother’s hues and she gave an almost sheepish smile before she lifted her wine glass and sipped from it.

“I will attend your breakfast, Tora.” The queen spoke and gave a nod though her eyes looked to a knight that was walking toward their table. He bowed and then leaned down to the queen and began speaking in a hushed tone. Amara looked to the man with furrowed brows. She then looked across the table to Tora and gave a bit of a smile before she sipped her wine again. The queen folded her napkin upon the table. “Do enjoy dinner.” She spoke as she looked to Tora. “I’m afraid I am needed elsewhere. Politics.” She lifted her glass of wine into her hands. “Amara is more than capable of entertaining, aren’t you dear?” She gave a sweet smile to her daughter, the gentle side of the queen that no one ever experienced. She squeezed her daughter’s shoulder and then followed the knight from the room. A hush fell over the room for a moment as several of the elves watched the queen leave.

Amara drew in a breath, “That was one of our officers of the guard. I’m sure he received poor news from the pass. The humans…they are inching closer to our home each day…they are power hungry. So much that they destroyed an entire dwarven village just for the relics within it. They have destroyed so much.” She took the last bite of her food. “You like ale?” She asked after a long moment of silence. “Rhys told me you ordered barrels of ale to your camp.” She waved down one of the servants and spoke to the woman a moment. The woman looked to Tora as the princess spoke to her. A few moments later the woman returned with a mug and a pitcher which she set upon the table. It was a dark amber ale. “Elvish ale. I’m not certain that it is what you are used to. But it isn’t wine.” She smiled.

Amara then looked to Tora, her eyes locked on the woman’s. A strange sensation began to overwhelm her, a dizziness. The world blurred then and she sucked in a cold breath of air.

**

Amara walked along the trail that led to the caverns deep within the Shaeras mountains. There were only two others with her. She wore a backpack that was full of gear, she was dressed in her winter leathers that were lined with fur. She paused before the mouth of the cave. “You have it?” She questioned and looked to Rhys whom offered a box to her. “Good. I’ll be back soon.” She slipped her backpack off and rushed inside the caverns. It was dim, but crystals within the cavern glowed with magic. She weaved through the damp rocks and eventually she came to a huge room that held an alter in the middle. Amara clicked the box open and pulled a bottle of red liquid from the box as well as a relic that glowed slightly from the magic that was encased within it.

The princess stepped forward to the small podium that held elvish etchings all over it. Her breath trembled. This was her first time at the alter. She set the items down and she jumped as she heard a growl that bubbled through the cavern. Her mother had not allowed her to come see the dragon until now. Her mother had kept Amara protected for as long as she possibly could. She found herself staring up to the huge black dragon Ezzas.

“You’ve grown.” The dragon spoke in his rumbly voice. “You have your father’s eyes.” He growled as he moved to look to the alter.

Amara’s breath shook, her crystal hues stared to the dragon. “My…my mother told me I have his eyes.” She managed to choke the words out.

Ezzas chuckled as he took the offering. “You’re afraid.” He leaned close, his hues seemed as though they were on fire. “Good. You should be. I am not your ally.” He snarled and fire began to form within his mouth.

Amara scrambled backward, she let out a cry as the flames shot forward her hands held forward and her own power shielded her. Ice melted away to water beneath her feet rapidly. She stumbled back as his flames stopped, her hues looked to him as she breathed heavily. The elf then turned and raced from the caverns. The hate that Ezzas held for her people never truly diminished.

**

Amara sucked in a quick breath her head had lulled forward slightly. She stared to Tora and the glow within her eye. The dizziness was gone. She glanced around the room. Many carried on in conversations and laughed. The elves were even speaking to some of the Vikings. She let out a breath and stood. “Perhaps I should check on my mother.” She spoke as she made to leave.

The princess’ breaths were quick as she pushed through the crowded room. She slipped around people left and right weaving her way. Running. When she finally made it to the cold of the outside, the beautiful courtyard of the castle the princess let out a breath of relief. It had been a long time since she’d thought of her first interaction with the great dragon. When Tora’s voice called out to her she turned and glanced to the woman her brows furrowed. Her crystal hues were glassy, tears that she held back. She stared to the woman as she repeated the words of Ezzas, her breath caught in her chest. The bubbly attitude had melted away with the memory of her meeting with Ezzas. She crossed her arms over her chest as the chill of the air over took her bare arms. Her lips pressed into a flat line as she watched the woman turn and walk back into the castle. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t speak. It took her quite sometime to walk back into the castle. Her heels clicked along the marble flooring. She glanced to the doors of the dining hall as she heard the laughter from the Vikings inside.

Amara walked through the castle until she finally found her mother, holed up in her study as per usual. The princess pushed the door open just as a sniffle came from the queen. “Mother?” She questioned. She stepped inside as her mother quickly brushed away the tears.

“Amara, dear.” She straightened and stood. “Why are you not in the dining hall?” She questioned. “Is everything alright?”

The princess walked across the room and furrowed her brows as she looked to her mother. “What happened?” She questioned.

“Just more death.” Her mother whispered after a long moment of silence. “I’m exhausted of losing our people…” She let out a sigh and shook her head. “It seems no matter angle we attack from…they keep pushing us closer and closer. Another village was destroyed. Burned to the ground. Women and children. When….” She grit her teeth. “We spared every innocent soul.” She shook her head and balled up a fist. “This is my fault. If I wouldn’t have been so brash.” She brushed tears away as they ran down her cheeks. “I started this war, Amara. I was so angry about your father’s death that I ordered every guard in the city killed.”

Amara watched her mother carefully her eyes searched hers and she drew in a long breath. “Mother, it is exactly what King Alexander wanted you to do. He knew you would attack once you found that his soldiers were the cause of father’s death.” She swallowed back her own urge to cry. Raenisa rarely spoke of the time before her father’s death to the princess. She rarely spoke of the beginning of the war. Such dark times. Her mother did not wish to cloud her daughter with such pain of the past. “You found the Vikings.” She offered a smile. “Mother. This has to work. Remember?” She pulled her mother into a tight embrace. “I’m sure of it. I trust your judgement mother. I would have made the same order if I were in your shoes that day.”

Raenisa hugged her daughter back and a smile curved up her lips. “How did I end up with a daughter like you?” She brushed away a tear and straightened herself up a bit more. “You should rest dear. We will need our rest, soon we may not get much of it at all.”

The princess gave a nod, “Of course mother. I’ll see you for breakfast in the morning.” She offered a smile.

**

The clatter of a wooden cart sounded on the roadside as Rhys pulled along the five barrels of ale that Tora had ordered earlier. He looked to the huge bonfire, the people as they danced about and the sound of drums filled the air. A grin curved up his lips. In the wake of a war, these people were full of true joy. Not fear. It was an incredible sight to see. He set down the cart handles and stepped up to Tora, he held his hand forward. “Our brewer said no charge.” He set the coins in her hand. “Five barrels for you Seer.” He bowed his head. “Is there anything else that I can assist you with?” He questioned.

Rhys looked to Tora as the woman grasped his hand and pulled him close. “Seer Tora…” He began to speak before she shoved him into the viking woman. His face turned completely red as he was dragged away swiftly.

**

The queen rose the next morning before the sun lifted over the sea. She stood on her balcony with a steaming cup of coffee. Her amber hues looked to the silent ocean. She had a thick rob wrapped around her body her hair was pulled into a messy bun. She drew in a breath and eventually made her way back into her room. She started nearly every morning this way. The serenity of the balcony, the calm of the ocean. It always seemed to be the best right at dawn. She bathed and dressed herself. Though, she did not dress in a fine lavish dress as one would expect from the queen. She wore traditional Elven ranger armor. It was light enough for her to move swiftly in, yet dense enough to protect her in battle. The silver armor held intricate markings and blue jewels that seemed to hold a glow in their appearance. She pulled on a black cloak over her shoulders and fastened a sword to her hip just as her door pushed open. The queen turned and a smile curved up her lips. “Amara.” She spoke as she looked to her daughter whom was dressed in her light leathers.

“Perhaps.” The queen spoke and stepped to her daughter. “Just in case these people are not our ally. Perhaps you should stay behind. I do not want you getting hurt.” Raenisa spoke as she placed a hand upon her daughter’s shoulder. Her hair was carefully braided in an elvish fashion to one side and it hung down over her right shoulder.

“Mother. But if you need help. I could be there. I could help.” Amara protested. “Besides. She invited us both. Would it not be rude of me to not come?” She smirked, she knew this was an argument that she could win against her mother.

The queen drew in a breath as she thought a long moment. “Alright. Let’s go then, hm?” She spoke as she let a chuckle come over her lips. Amara never ceased to amaze her mother. The girl had always been cunning. Even without her father around to teach her sly tricks. Raenisa walked through the halls and to the courtyard.

“My queen.” Eldrin stood at the two horses that were tacked and ready to go. “Please. We do not know these strangers. What if they turn on you? Our princess?” He looked to Amara.

Amara stepped forward and looked to Eldrin. “Captain. Did you not hear the queen? She asked you to stop doubting her actions. Would it not be wise to heed the warning of your queen? Do you not trust her judgement to guide us out of this darkness?” The princess spoke with a confidence that caused Eldrin to step back and to the side.

“If you have not returned by noon I will send for you.” He spoke as he looked to his queen as she climbed upon her horse. It was a jet black steed with elven armor adjourned over it. Amara’s horse on the other hand was a beautiful pure white. It had been her father’s horse. The Elvish Clydesdale. They were huge. A horse that not even the men of Alexander were brave enough to ride. “My queen.” Eldrin bowed as the two rode off swiftly.

Raenisa waited until they had left the city before she turned to her daughter and chuckled, a smirk upon her lips. “Are you learning your smart remarks from me or someone else?” She grinned. “I couldn’t have sat it better myself. Eldrin has doubted me for years.” She shook her head.

Amara smiled as she adjusted her bow upon her back and she bounced along with the horse. “From you mother, where else would I learn it?” She winked as she continued to ride.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at the viking camp. The queen climbed down from her horse and tied it off at a post. She unstrapped her sword from her belt and offered it to one of the Vikings as she stepped into the hall. Amara was close at her heels. The princess offered her bow and quiver to the tall viking as well and she nodded to him. She then followed her mother as Tora greeted them. She looked around. The scent of the tent was something completely different than she was used to. Raenisa nodded her head to Tora, “It is incredible what you have put up in such short time.” She looked around the tent that was fashioned to be a long house. “You call this a long house, am I correct? My grandfather has many journals that speak of your people. Long ago.”

The queen fell quiet as she listened to Tora speak of the food, she looked to the smirk upon the woman’s lips. She could tell this woman was much more comfortable in this environment. Raenisa looked to the omelet upon her plate it was a hearty meal. She glanced to the princess whom looked to the omelet with raised brows. It was a stark difference from fruits, cheeses, and an egg or two along with coffee or tea. The queen listened to Tora as she spoke of their rituals, she was quiet as she ate a few bites of the omelet. Though when Tora made the joke about everyone being hung over a laugh came over the queen’s lips. A genuine laugh. Not many were capable of pulling that from her. Even Amara chuckled and she grinned as she looked to the smile upon her mother’s lips.

“Celebration shall be when we have ended these dark times that we have suffered beneath for 20 years, Tora. Then I will come to whatever celebration that you wish to throw.” The queen spoke and gave a nod. “Then you will not risk me leaving on business.” She took another bite of her food as Tora questioned her about it. Just as Raenisa was about to reply Amara spoke up.

“Rhys?!” Amara’s voice was surprised, her jaw loose.

Raenisa turned her attention to another table which Rhys sat. He wore his under garb that belonged under his armor, his hair was a mess, he had a red mark on his neck. A thick fur was wrapped over his shoulders and viking woman was sitting close to him. Quite close actually. The queen placed a hand up to her mouth as she stifled a laugh. The queen looked to Tora with raised brows, she stifled another laugh then.

“P-Princess.” Rhys stood quickly and rushed over. “My queen.” His face flushed red. “My queen I can explain.” His voice trembled.

Raenisa could not hold back her laughter any longer. She began to laugh a grin from ear to ear. “There’s nothing to explain.” She spoke to him in elvish. “You’ve got it written all over your neck.” The queen had tears in her eyes from how hard she was laughing. Amara’s jaw was still loose. Rhys was almost like an older brother to her. She knew everything about him. He’d been in the castle and he was just a few years older than her. Her eyes tracked across the room to the Viking woman whom had a grin upon her lips. She looked back to Rhys whom continued to apologize to the queen. Raenisa shook her head and waved her hand. “Why don’t you go sit and enjoy your breakfast, Rhys?” She waved her hand again and laughed lightly. The queen brushed away her tears. It was the hardest she had laughed in a long while. “I really…needed that.” She let out a long sigh.

The queen then looked to Tora a moment before she sipped from her tea. “Your food is great.” She answered Tora’s question from before the interruption. Amara giggled lightly as her mother simply fixed her composure and returned to business as usual. The queen glanced to her daughter and smirked slightly for a moment before she looked back to Tora. “It is much different than we eat, but the way that it is seasoned is excellent.” She nodded. “The closest troop of Alexander knights are not terribly far from here. It would be a week to hike there. But, you have your ships to aid you. Also to your benefit their encampment is right on the edge of the ocean. I was thinking tonight after nightfall. They will not suspect it. The Alexander knights believe that they are invincible. I believe it would be a way to see how your men fair against them, you may take some of my guard of your choosing as well. Of course the spoils of the encampment will belong to you. That is the deal.” Raenisa spoke her voice taking on a serious tone. “I have maps and detailed information at the castle about this encampment that my knights have gathered over the last few months since it was erected. It would push their troops back significantly.”

Amara’s hues looked to Rhys as he ate with the Viking woman, a smirk upon her lips. She looked around at the people. Half listening to the conversation. When her mother stopped speaking she turned her attention to Tora to study the woman’s reaction, curiosity in her crystal hues.

Amara watched as Tora winked to the queen. She looked to her mother a moment before she ate a few more bites of her food as the two spoke. “Shield maidens?” Amara questioned curiously.

Raenisa chuckled as she looked to her daughter, “No I have not. But I’ve read of the shield maidens of the past.” She nodded and stood. The queen grasped her sword and fastened it around her hips as they walked outside. Amara slipped her quiver onto her hip and hung her bow over her back. The queen looked to the women that were assembled upon the field. Fierce. She knew why her grandfather called them savages. Just the look of these warriors would strike fear in the heart of their opposition. She placed her hand upon her daughter’s shoulder as Tora walked forward to the woman. “Let’s see, hm?” She looked to her daughter and gave a soft smile.

Amara watched with a loose jaw as the women followed each command like a well oiled machine. The elves were meant for the forest. The fighting style that she knew was to be supplemented with the thick of trees and brush. She knew how to climb trees swiftly, how to stand on the back of a horse and shoot. How to loose an arrow from 500 yards and hit the dead center of an ice grape, splitting it in two. Amara could do that. But this. Watching these women was incredible. The queen stood with her amber hues upon the display as the warriors moved about. Her eyes focused in on Tora when she spoke her next words. “I’ll regret it?” She questioned. Her body tensed. “Are you threatening that you will attack us after the war is over? I am offering you land. I am offering to become you ally from this point forward.” The queen’s voice had grown cold.

“Mother.” Amara spoke up. “I don’t believe she was threatening you.” She looked to Tora and gave a nod, she then nodded to her mother. “Remember, they are…rowdy…I do believe that is the regret she means. Not that they will attack us. They will be our ally.” She sucked in a breath as she looked to Tora whom spoke of winning the war. She saw the woman’s eye flash. That flash it was like the flash she saw just before her memory was forced upon her. Amara’s brows furrowed slightly.

The queen stood with her arms over her chest as she watched the woman zone out, no idea what was happening. “Yes, of course. Come to my study. I’ll show you the maps and give you a pick of my guard.” She spoke as she turned and looked to her daughter whom was still looking to Tora with a quizzical gaze. “Come on, Amara.” She spoke.

The princess looked to her mother a moment and then back to Tora. “I’ll catch up mother.” She spoke and looked to her. “I have to make sure Rhys gets back to the castle.” She smirked then. “Besides, I want to watch the Shield Maidens a bit more.” She nodded and then looked to Tora. “I have questions.” Her voice was full of curiosity.

Raenisa drew in a breath, she hesitated a moment. “She is my only child. Do take care of her?” She stared directly in Tora’s hues a long moment. The queen then turned and climbed upon her horse and rode off toward the castle.

Amara crossed her arms and looked to Tora. “Your eye. When it glowed last night, I saw a memory…that you proceeded to quote. A memory that I have not even told my own mother. If she knew that the dragon attacked me like that I would never leave the castle walls.” The princess chuckled lightly. “Is that your gift? My mother told me before you came…that you spoke of seeing the future. Do you? Was that what that was…you zoned out for nearly a minute. My mother stared at you as if you were mad.” Amara tilted her head slightly as she looked to the woman. “What…did you see?” She asked her brows tugged together.

The princess watched as her mother rode off without another word. She gave a weak smile. “She, isn’t used to anyone making light of anything around her.” She spoke after a moment. “I do promise that she isn’t as...cold as she might seem. She’s a wonderful mother. Even...raising me in such a dark time.” The princess shook her hand and gave a smile. “She seemed to find the light in what she could, even if that light were hidden beneath a rock...she’s been in constant battle with this war I’m not certain she knows how to live outside of constantly giving her best attempt to clean up the messes that have been made.” She spoke as she looked to the village in awe as Tora asked her to follow her. “Of course.” She spoke as she followed along.

As Amara followed Tora she took in the simple architecture of the tents, the smiles of the people. “Ny-ver-den.” She repeated the word, a bit broken. Her Elvish made the word sound much different than the word that Tora spoke. She gazed to the men as they foraged their armor, as they sharpened the axes. “I can imagine that your blacksmithing techniques are quite unique. I would extend an invitation for you to see our own blacksmith in Armalon, you may find it interesting.” She reached and grasped an axe that sat upon a barrel and flipped it over in her delicate hands. “Though our weapons are much different. I could imagine though.” She looked to Tora. “Elven steel. You have not had the ability to feel it. It is stronger than this blade and half the weight. I’m certain my mother would be more than happy to allow you some of ours, if you’d like. It could help your warriors.” She set the axe down as she followed Tora along through the city. “I would like to see this though, your forage. When it is finished.” She smiled as she looked to the white tent.

Amara paused a moment before she slipped inside. She looked about the tidy tent and to the lavish silky comforter that stuck out like a sore thumb within the room. “Mead?” Amara questioned, her brows tugged together slightly. “Barley wine?” She lifted the horn to her nose and smelled it a moment before she took a drink. It was smooth, sweet. Unlike anything that she had ever tasted. The warmth hit her stomach an a smile curved up her lips. “This is incredible.” She spoke with a grin, “You should have shared this with my mother.” Amara laughed lightly. “Perhaps another time.”

Amara found a small stool and took a seat upon it as Tora began to speak. When the hologram appeared however the princess stood once again. Her crystal hues gazed to it, the curiosity and awe showed in her expression once again. She reached forward to touch it, yet her hand passed through the image. The princess sipped from the horn as she stepped around the image, she looked closely to the wolves, the empty eye socket of Odin. She listened to the words of Tora. All of this. New to her.

The elven gods were just as cryptic in their own ways, but this story...it was captivating to the princess. She sipped upon the horn as she listened and took it in. “It must be his eye...” She commented with a smile. “I’ve never seen such a color.” She raised a brow slightly. Her expression softened as Tora spoke of the previous Seer and how the man gave his life to give Tora such a gift. Her brows came to a furrow as the woman spoke of Ragnarok. Though the woman was on a roll speaking her story. She didn’t know this word, nor the gravity behind it. But she could feel it. It meant a lot to Tora, the way she spoke the word, the way her facial expression changed when she spoke the name.

Amara frowned slightly when Tora spoke that she had to take her back to the castle. “You’ve opened up so many questions, Seer.” She spoke as she stood and handed over the empty horn. The princess’ cheeks were tinted pink from the mead. “I will be certain to come back again. You must tell me of Ragnarok. I’m afraid that this is not a term that I am familiar with.” She looked to her horse as Tora led him along. Then when Tora began to speak of the memory the princess sucked in a breath. She shook her head. “I’m not certain that brave would be the word that my mother would use.” She glanced to the Seer. “I trust that you will keep my secret and I thank you.” She drew in a breath and furrowed her brows again. “It must be quite the burden, to see things that you do not wish to see. I imagine...” She spoke as she looked up to the castle.

Captain Eldrin was patiently awaiting the princess at the stairs from the courtyard. “Princess.” He spoke. He nodded his head to Tora. “Seer.” He turned. “It is time for more training today. I was afraid you were going to miss your session.” He spoke as he began walking toward the training grounds with the princess.

**

The queen moved about within her study she had climbed upon a ladder on a bookcase to reach something as the knock came from the door. Raenisa reached up and pulled a small black box from the top of the shelf and climbed down. She had changed into a beautiful dress that was fit for a queen with golden adornments and black silky cloth. “Seer Tora.” She spoke as her heels clicked across the marble floor. “Good to see you.” She spoke as she stepped over to her large desk. Upon it a large map was sprawled out. Careful etchings were made upon the parchment. It was a map of the entire region. To the far east the Kingdom of Alexander stood. Several cities were drawn onto the map.

Raenisa set the black box upon the desk. She drew in a breath as her eyes looked over the map a long moment. “Business then, shall we?” She looked to Tora a long moment. Her amber hues were piercing. “This is Armalon.” She spoke as she opened up the black box and pulled out a pendant that was of a life tree. She set it over the drawn image upon the map. The queen pulled another marker out for the map and placed it over a red x upon the map. “This is the new encampment that my guard has found. They do not have walls erected yet. They have not had enough time, and honestly I do not believe that they fear an attack from us.” The queen paused a long moment. “We have been loosing this war for quite some time now. We have been doing all that we can, but it is still my people that have paid the price of this war and it will only continue.”

The queen had a sadness in her hues as she spoke this. “The humans at the beginning of this war killed a great dragon and took her teeth, her claws, her scales. They broke her into parts and turned her pieces into relics of magic. But they did not go about their magic in a pure way, only darkness can be seen in their magic. Such blood magic is highly unpredictable. It is incredibly dangerous.” Her amber hues looked to Tora then. “This is what you and your warriors are up against.” The queen let out a sigh, almost as if she doubted that this would end well. “Corruption will follow if the king of Alexander is allowed to continue his war path. This is about more than just my people, Tora. You spoke of Ragnarok. If King Alexander is allowed to overtake Armalon it gives him access to our relics. This would give him access to more power that he will corrupt. The dragons live within the mountains to the north of our city...these dragons...” She sucked in a breath. “If the humans were to get their hands on even just one more of the dragons...the amount of power that will be gained will make them nearly impossible to stop.”

Raenisa pointed about upon the map as she spoke. She pointed out Alexander. “These are the other five encampments. Not all are along the sea. But three of them are.” She pointed it out. If we can push them back we will have a chance, Tora...my people are exhausted...” She pressed her lips together and paced slightly as she thought. “Do you...have anything to add? Questions?” She asked after a long moment. It was evident that the queen had been living with the weight of the world upon her shoulders. She was playing a dangerous game of chess and only seemed to have a few pieces left, while her opponent was busy cornering her.