A New Age

Raenisa grit her teeth with each punch that Amara took. She gripped onto the arm of her chair. When Tora touched her knuckles the queen looked to her with worried eyes. It wasn’t in their culture, such brutality. She gasped and gave a laugh as Amara shot the bow string clean off the opponent. “Do you think that is what Yvette and her planned?” She questioned but then gripped the seat as the fight commenced. The queen let out a sigh of relief when it was all over, she offered a smile to Tora as the woman had smirked to her.

As Tora came to the field Amara sheathed her sword and tossed her bow over her back. She helped her two opponents from the ground and then stepped to Tora’s side. She grinned as she looked to Tora, blood ran down the side of her face from a cut that had formed over her brow from the brawl. Amara smiled to Yvette too, it felt good to win. It cleared her mind. It cleared her mind more than anything else could. She could meditate for hours and yet the nightmares of Bahamut would creep into her dreams. But now, she felt different. She felt alive. The fog did not cloud her mind as she listened to Tora’s speech. When Tora announced Yvette as the new Jarl...Amara grinned. She let out a cheer and laughed as the horns were played throughout the crowd.

Once Tora released their hands Amara stepped to Yvette and pulled her into a quick hug, much like many of the vikings did. “I could not have done that alone.” She spoke with a smile. “Jarl.” She smirked as she released her and followed after Tora to the stands. The crowd began to disburse as many went to celebrate and drink. The town had grown.

“Amara.” Raenisa stepped up to her daughter and let out a soft sigh as she looked to the bruises and the cut above her brow. She gave a weak smile, “I’m proud of you.” She used a hankerchief and wiped away the blood that ran down her daughter’s face. The queen then looked to Tora a smirk upon her lips, “So shall we see what a viking celebration is all about? You keep speaking of it. You claim that it is something to be seen.” She spoke as they walked toward the center of town. Music played, people danced around a huge bonfire that had been lit. The queen soon enough had a mug of ale in her hands. She grinned and raised it. “To a great celebration! To the Gods! To Jarl Yvette!...” She paused a moment and drew in a breath. “Skol!” She called out. The elves around her grinned as they saw their queen partake. Cheers of Skol rounded around the village.

Amara chuckled lightly as she raised her own glass. “Skol!” She called out and giggled slightly. She drank down her ale and held her mug forward for another. “That was incredible!” She laughed and gazed to Tora. “Yvette will make an incredible Jarl.” She cheered and laughed as she ran forward to dance among the others.

Raenisa watched her daughter among the vikings and the elves. She had a smile upon her lips. “This is the beginning of that world that you see in your dreams, Tora.” She spoke as she watched the light in Amara’s eyes, the way she smiled. The way that her own people smiled and danced among the vikings. They were able to let loose. To enjoy. It was a different feeling. The queen gazed about as she took in the scene.

Raenisa turned to Tora, she saw the way the woman looked to her. Then the words that uttered from her lips. Raenisa's expression softened. Love. That was this emotion. This void that she needed to fill. "And I...Love you, Tora." The queen had a crooked smile upon her lips. She glanced to Amara a long moment, her daughter was mingling and dancing. Enjoying herself. The queen pressed her lips together as she seemed to think a long moment. "I want to follow your dreams, because they have become my dreams as well." She spoke as she gazed into Tora's hues. She lifted her mug and downed it then. "Shall we celebrate then?" She grasped another full ale for the both of them. Raenisa then chuckled as she stepped off from Tora, she glanced over her shoulder before she made her way to Tora's tent.

**

Crushed by Greed: Kingdom of Alexander: One month ago

General Rosalie Feir

Evie Winter

King Alexander

“Attention!” A man clad in silver polished armor with a red cape draped over his shoulder yelled. He fell in line with the other soldiers. The ground was lined in cobblestone. Stone walls were erected around them. They stood in a castle courtyard. Above them upon a lifted decking the sound of plate armor contacting the stone seemed to echo through the yard, as well as the gentle strike of leather boots.

King Alexander himself walked to the railing of the balcony, he overlooked the 200 knights that stood before him. Fresh from the academy. Next to him a woman stood. She wore perfectly polished armor that held golden accents. A black cloak hung about her shoulders with a red underlay. Bits and pieces of her armor had a light blue glow to it. The king glanced to her a moment, this was his General the commander of his armies...one of four at least. General Rosalie Feit. Her hair was jet black and it was tied up in braids. Her eyes were a deep ocean blue...cold and piercing. The king on the other hand was dressed in nobleman’s clothing, he wore his own red cape and his shining golden crown. “Today.” He spoke with a grin. “Today is a very special day. You begin your journey as a Knight of the kingdom of Alexander.” He walked from the lifted decking, followed closely by Rosalie. He walked through the ranks slowly. “You are a very special class. A group that I wish to give even more responsibility. Even more strength.” He spoke as he gazed to some of the men. He walked up to one and stopped before him. The boy was young, barely of age to join the guard.

King Alexander smirked slightly to this young boy. “Tell me boy. Why did you join?” He asked.

The young knight straightened slightly before his king. “My king.” He began, his mouth was dry. His breathing increased. His eyes darted to Rosalie whom was fixated upon him. “I joined to serve my kingdom. But most importantly to protect you and your family.”

The king watched him closely, a grin spread over his lips. “Good. Good.” He turned and waved his hand. “I have a gift for you all.” He spoke as he continued to walk the ranks. “You will become knights much as General Rosalie has become. You see her armor? She has magic within it. It will protect you in battle much better than anything that you can buy from the blacksmith. But you must possess something in order to hold such a power.” He grinned and looked up to the decking where a woman was walked forward.

The woman was slender and tall. She held runic like tattoos upon her body that reached up her neck and onto her jaw. A symbol was tattooed upon her forehead and along her hairline. Her eyes were golden, her hair chestnut brown. She wore leather wrapped gloves that reached up to the middle of her biceps and golden armor upon her shoulder. Her other shoulder held a red cape. She was young. The woman stood upon the decking, her eyes gazed out to the 200 soldiers. A knight stood on either side of her. There was a strange pulsating device around her neck that held the same color of blue that Rosalie’s armor had. It was made of metal and held a jewel within it. The king grinned as he looked to the woman. “This, gentlemen is Evie. She is quite a unique treat.” He stepped to her side. The woman bowed her head to him, her hands were clasped in front of her. “She will give you the gift of more vitality upon the field, she will allow you to fight with more bravery. To hold magic in your armor.” The king nodded to the woman whom stepped down the stairs, followed closely by the two knights. “Rosalie took this same step and she has become my strongest General.” He spoke as Evie moved to a stand that was placed before the crowd. She pulled a golden bowl from the stand and a knife. The woman sliced down her arm and allowed her blood to run freely into the bowl.

The newly graduated soldiers watched curiously. Some looked frightened. Blood magic. It was dangerous. The woman grasped the bowl and stepped to the first soldier. She gazed into his eyes with her golden hues. She could hear his breath quiver slightly as she looked to him. She showed no expression to offer him comfort. She merely continued onward, without a word or so much as a smile. She dipped her thumb into the bowl of her own blood and pressed her thumb to his lips. She did this to each individual of the 200. It took over an hour to complete this task. By the time she got to the last man her eyes were tired. She walked to the front of the masses once again. She drew in a deep breath and held her hand forward toward the men then. A gentle glow came to the armor of the men. She stuck her index finger into the bowl and began to draw runes upon her skin. Her eyes began to glow a bright blue. As she finished the last rune upon her skin she lifted the bowl and drank the last droplets of her blood...a wave of power burst from the mage then and washed over the 200 men. As the wave pushed forward she sucked in a breath and her eyes began to flutter. It was a massive amount of power. Her knees gave out and the two knights that stood with her caught her.

The armor of the 200 soldiers took on lightly glowing spots, nothing near as strong as Rosalie’s armor. But it was an added effect. The young mage coughed and blood came from her lips as she was carried back to the king. She was released and the woman fell to her knees before him, her breaths grew heavy. King Alexander chuckled lightly, “Very well done, my Evie.” He spoke in a soft tone. He grinned as he looked out to the soldiers. “Tomorrow, you will leave and you will march upon Olivara and see just how much you’ve learned in the academy. You’ll be gone around two months.” The king then turned and walked away.

Rosalie looked to Evie a long moment before she turned and took to the king’s heels. The young mage was lifted up by the guards. She winced slightly as she took in heavy breaths. She was carried by her arms, her feet drug along the ground as she was taken into the castle. Her head lulled forward as her boots caught along each grout line between the tiles. Her breaths echoed in her mind. She was carried down into the depths of the castle where a heavy metal door was pushed open. Evie was carried into a room that held a single bed, a desk, and a few other items. It was the bare minimum. The guards released her and she fell to her knees in the center of the room. The door shut and the lock slid into place, then a chain clanked on the other side of the door. She was kept under close supervision, as if she was a criminal.

Evie mustered the strength to stand, she shakily made her way across the room to her bed and she fell onto it. She leaned against the cold stone wall and brushed the blood from her lips. She slowly began to unravel the leather from her arms. Runes lined her skin. From her collar bones all the way to her hands she was covered in ancient runes. She lay to the side and pulled her blanket up over her body and soon enough...she was asleep.

**

A young child stood within the courtyard of the castle. She had a smile upon her lips. She giggled slightly as she ran along. Her golden eyes were striking...and easy to see from even across the large courtyard. The little girl ran up to the king as he came from within the castle. “Ah, Evie.” He offered his hand forward. “I have something special for you today. You’ll get a treat after, promise.” He took her hand then and led her into the castle. The young girl smiled as she walked along with the king. He took her into a room that held a chair that had leather straps upon it. “Come on then.” He lifted her up and set her in the chair. He began doing the straps, the child didn’t fight him.

A man walked into the room, he wore a white lab coat. He looked to the king and nodded. “The serum is ready. Are you certain?” He questioned. “It could kill her.”

“It won’t. She’s perfect for this. Elvish mother, human father. Fire in her soul. Hm Evie?” He chuckled lightly. “Do it, Leo.” The king ordered.

The man bit his lip slightly, “Of course, sir.” He stepped to his desk and drew up the bright red liquid. He then stepped to the child and pushed the needle into her skin before he injected it. Evie cried, she tried to jerk her arm back but the straps held her in place. She squirmed and whimpered. When the injection was done the man looked to the king. “We will need to do this injection from now on. Until we reach the desired effects.” He nodded.

The king looked to the little girl whom sat in the cold hard chair, tears streamed down her cheeks. “You want that treat Evie?” He asked as he brushed away the tears. The little girl nodded as he released her from the leathers and she hugged herself to him. This ritual continued through Evie’s 18th birthday. Day after day she was injected. The injections grew larger. Soon enough she was tattooed with runes at a young age as well. Each little bit was to make her into a stronger mage. To give her stronger magic. With each passing day Evie became more and more of the mage that the King wished her to be...

**

Horses rode through the plains. Smoke could be seen in the distance. Rosalie rode upon a black horse that stood at the head of the pack. Next to her Evie rode upon a dark smokey colored horse. Evie had a black cloak pulled up over her head. The young mage gazed to the general a moment as they came to the crest of the hill. “Olivara.” Rosalie spoke. It was a small elvish settlement in the western mountains. Rather than attacking Armalon to the north...King Alexander was carving away at the settlements all around them. Giving the elves nowhere to turn to for help. Rosalie looked up to the dark clouds as snow began to fall. She turned to her soldiers whom now lined the Ridgeline above the city. They held the black flag with a snake upon it, marking them as Alexander’s knights. “If they do not submit, we will kill each and everyone of them.” Rosalie spoke her ocean eyes gazed over the sea of men that Alexander had sent with her. It was overkill for such a small village. But that was exactly what Alexander wanted.

Rosalie turned her gaze to Evie a moment before she rode down the hill. Two guard followed behind her on their steeds. From the village a single elven man walked forward. His breath shook as he gazed up to Rosalie upon her horse. “King Alexander demands that you kneel to him. That you sweat fealty to Alexander and fight with him in the war against Armalon.” Rosalie spoke clearly, her voice strong.

The man stood, shaking. He grit his teeth slightly, “We will never back down. Queen Raenisa plans to end this war! Have you not heard of your camps that her warriors crushed?” The man spoke as he looked up to Rosalie. “Your army doesn’t stand a chance against Armalon! We will not swear to your king. He is not our king.”

Rosalie tilted her head slightly. She jumped down off of her horse and stepped forward to him. “What exactly is it about you people?” She questioned. “You’ll follow your queen into a burning hot fire. If she says that it is safe enough for you to go.” She shook her head. “Where is her army now? How is she protecting you now?” She lifted her hand and held it in the direction of her soldiers that stood upon the hill.

The man stood his ground, though he looked to Rosalie with a worried gaze. She was known for being ruthless, for having the best swordsmanship to be found on this continent. “She is our queen. We have Bahamut at our side. Do you not fear the dragon king?” He questioned.

Rosalie smirked to him then, she tilted her head slightly. “Dragon king. The summon? Where is it now? It is a myth.” She chuckled to him. “Very well.” She drew her sword and in an instant it was stabbed to the hilt in an upward motion through his abdomen. She pulled him close. “I’ll let you watch your people die. Where’s your queen now?” She whispered in his ear. She spun him around as she gave the order with her hand for her soldiers to rush the village.

From the ridgeline the soldiers rushed forward, only one horse remained upon the ridge, Evie. Rosalie turned the man and held him as blood leaked from his abdomen. She sheathed her sword as she watched the elves fight back. Their magical armor was impenetrable to the swords and arrows of the elves. The men sliced through the elves like a hot knife through butter. She stood with him until he drew his last breath. “Fool.” She spoke as she dropped his body to the ground. Rosalie climbed upon her horse. Blood dripped down the front of her armor from holding onto the elf. She rode her horse up to the side of Evie and gazed to her a long moment. “They wouldn’t surrender. I had no choice.” She spoke as her ocean hues looked back down to the village. “You know what needs to be done.” She glanced back to the mage. The two stared to one another for a long silent moment. The sound of the battle in the background took over. The screams of war.

Evie clicked her tongue and gave her horse a gentle kick. She rode forward toward the war. Not a weapon in hand. She climbed down from her horse at the edge of the village and she strode into the village easily. She stepped over dead bodies and gazed about to the carnage. Evie’s golden hues searched over the surroundings. She heard a yell from behind her as an elven man rushed forward with a sword. Evie turned and held her hands up. Blood lifted from the bodies of the dead around her and formed into daggers. She threw her hands forward and the daggers stabbed into the elf...he swiftly crumpled to the ground at her feet. Her eyes were glowing golden now as she turned around. She reached down to a dead body and dipped her finger into the wound. She began to draw runes upon her arms. She walked through the village as she continued to draw, the clouds above the village began to darken more the wind began to blow harshly. She gazed up to the skies and tilted her head slightly as a swirling storm appeared above the village.

Evie’s eyes flashed with power as she took both of her hands and pressed them into the ground swiftly. The storm descended upon the village. It ripped everything to shreds, though a barrier surrounded the humans that attacked the elves. She stayed knelt down for only half a minute or so before she stood and the storm disappeared. Evie looked around to the destruction as the snow began to fall once again. Blood stained the snow red instantly as it hit the ground. She walked through the city of death and made her way to a stone temple. She pressed a bloodied hand to the door and it began to glow. The door rattled and slid from her path. The thunder of horse hooves could be heard behind her. She glanced over her shoulder as she slipped into the temple.

“Evie.” Rosalie rushed down the stairwell after the mage. She grit her teeth. “Wait up.” She called to her as she squinted in the dark to see.

Suddenly there was a burst of fire. Evie stood before her, just inches from her face. The mage stared to her with her bright golden hues and no expression at all. She furrowed her brows slightly and then turned to continue into the temple. She snapped her fingers and a ball of fire appeared in her palm to light the path.

“Evie...” Rosalie gazed to the beautiful architecture of the building. She touched the artwork and sighed softly. “What does he have you after this time?” She questioned as she followed behind the mage. She drew in a shaken breath as they came to a domed room that held a glowing statue of a tree within the center. The general walked up to the statue and looked up to it. A tree of life. The branches stretched throughout the room. She looked around as all of the torches lit upon the walls, courtesy of Evie. Rosalie sighed slightly, “Do you ever question the things that we do...are...are we doing the right thing?” She asked as she gazed to the beautiful statues. “Or are we destroying a whole people and culture simply to follow an order...” A sigh came over her lips.

Evie pushed something on the side of the center statue. Her golden hues looked to Rosalie and she lifted a brow slightly. The woman then pulled a drawer from within the statue. She pulled a glowing green stone from the drawer and the glow from the tree disappeared. The mage looked to it and then stepped to Rosalie. She held up the jewel and gazed to the woman a long moment. She sucked in a breath and then shook her head. She pointed to the device around her neck and then shook her head again. Evie frowned slightly she looked to the tree of life that was void of glow now. She then took the jewel and gazed to it a long moment before she turned and walked down the hallway that led to the exit. “Evie wait!” Rosalie chased after her. The general looked to the mage a moment. “Don’t...uh...you know...um...forget what I said...I just...this stuff is so beautiful.” She spoke as she quickly walked along with the mage. Evie looked to her and then shrugged slightly as she continued walking along.

**

Trumpets sounded and bells tolled as the soldiers rode back into the kingdom of Alexander nearly a month later. Rosalie rode in the front with Evie at her side. She glanced to the mage as they rode into the city. The citizens bowed to them and cheered as they returned. They rode directly to the castle as the soldiers returned to their families. “Come on.” Rosalie spoke as they dismounted and climbed the stairs into the castle. She led Evie through the halls and into the throne room. “My king.” She bowed deeply. “We have returned.”

King Alexander turned, his eyes went straight to Evie. “Did you get the jewel?” He questioned as he walked down from the stairs to her. Evie reached into her pouch upon her hip and handed him the green glowing jewel. The king took it and turned it around in his hands. He chuckled lightly. “Ah yes. This will do nicely.” He turned to Rosalie. “General. As always, you’ve delivered an excellent job.” He grasped her shoulder. “We will be able to attack with this soon enough, and not a moment too soon. A month into your travel I learned that Armalon destroyed three of our camps.” He clicked his tongue. “Lucky for them I suppose.” He smirked. “But this will help. Won’t it Evie?” He asked with a smirk, the mage merely nodded and bowed her head once again.

Rosalie drew in a breath. “I can’t believe that they brought our troops down. That leaves us with three generals, my king.” She spoke and then looked to Evie whom seemed unfazed by everything. She had only one default emotion.

“No, it is wonderful. Now they think that they are strong enough to win.” King Alexander snickered. “They have only seen a portion of my strength.” He waved his hands. “Return her.” He spoke as he looked to Evie. “Good job, Evie.” He gave a smile as two guards stepped forward and led her away. “Go an celebrate, General.” He grinned as he walked back to his throne.

Rosalie gazed to the throne a long moment before she drew in a breath and turned. Her cape flowed behind her as she walked out of the throne room and she stepped from the castle. She glanced down the hallway to see Evie being carried away. “I’m sorry, Evie...” She whispered softly. She’d always wanted to save the girl. She knew that the king kept her locked away...his little experiment. She walked into the city and into a bar where she placed a coin on the counter and a frothy mug of ale was pushed toward her. Rosalie let out a long breath as she brought it to her lips and she took a long swig of the ale.

As the doors to the throne room swung open the General turned her hues to see whom it was that barged in. Of course it was the King’s pompous son, Prince Brandon. Rosalie bowed deeply, “Your highness.” She spoke as she straightened slightly, her eyes looked to the brute of a man that was with the prince. Who was this man? He looked nothing like anyone she’d ever seen before, even the most remote people...they didn’t have tattoos like that. The words that spilled from the prince’s lips caused Rosalie to life her brows. How very smooth of the prince. How had he managed to find a relative to….vikings? The elves were working with someone else? That explained the loss of the three camps nearest to Armalon. It was a statement.

Evie lifted her eyes as she heard the voice of the prince, her golden hues caught his. She took in a breath of air as she heard his thoughts. She watched him mouth the words and she merely shook her head as she was pulled forward by the two knights. Merely a prisoner to the king. She winced as they nearly lifted her from the floor to keep her moving. He made me steal a jewel...it will kill the elves...all of them...I can’t... Her voice would have been heard in the prince’s mind. The only person she’d ever shared her thoughts with.

The General gazed to Evie as she was nearly dragged from the room, her eyes sad for a moment before she looked back to the king. King Alexander grinned as he looked upon the 6 foot 5 brute. “Well, well. You’ve done excellent son.” He stepped forward and looked up to Arvid. “Arvid. I am King Alexander. I’ll be leading this effort to snuff out the pesky rats. They’ve become a bit of a problem since your niece has taken sides with them.” He laughed. “Nearly twenty years of chipping away at them and then suddenly they are able to summon the dragon king?” He shook his head. “I knew that the soldier was telling lies. He must be afraid of what your niece brought ashore.” He grinned. “Perhaps we can work a deal. Get Tora to understand. She is on the losing side. Hm?” He looked to his son and then to Rosalie. “General Feir.”

Rosalie straightened. “My king.” She had been staring at Arvid once again. She now looked to her king, awaiting his order.

“See to it that our new friend here has a roof over his head, whatever he asks for really.” He held the jewel in his hand. “Tomorrow we will meet. Hm? We will discuss what it means to be viking. You can tell me what to expect of Tora and her people. We can strike a deal. I’m a reasonable man. If only the elves listened to reason.” He laughed as he walked from the throne room.

Rosalie looked to the prince a moment and then to Arvid. “General Rosalie Feir.” She spoke as she gazed up to him. She seemed almost uneasy. This information that this man would tell the king. If Armalon had any advantage...this would take it all away. They had already killed so many elves. In the recent few years the king had sent Evie on several of the attacks to retrieve items of interest such as that jewel. Each time...Evie would be gone for weeks or months at a time. She pressed her lips into a flat line as she thought of this. “I can show you to your estate, Arvid.” She bowed her head. “What else may I gather for you?”

**

Evie was left in her room once again. She sat on the edge of her bed and closed her eyes as the events of her past rolled through her mind. The destruction she’d caused. She pulled at the device around her neck and let out a long drawn out sigh. She shifted as she heard the lock upon her door pull away and in came Leo, the mad scientist that always had another experiment for her to partake in. She stood and looked to him with her deadpan expression. Leo smirked slightly to her. “Don’t you ever smile?” He asked as he stopped before her, a few feet away. “The king has sent for me to gather you. I hear you retrieved something rather great today, Evie.” He grinned. “Come along. Don’t make me wait.” He spoke as he walked out of the room.

Evie furrowed her brow slightly as she walked from the room. Her arms were gripped by the two guards and she sighed heavily. The most free she ever was, was on the battlefield. Only with General Feir. The other Generals kept a close eye on her. General Feir almost let her think that she had her own thoughts. But...she didn’t….did she? She walked through the damp hallways and glanced to the closed doors of cells as they entered the dungeon. The men and women looked to the mage from within their cells with curious hues. She was a well kept secret of the castle. Never allowed to leave unless the king sent her to retrieve something. Evie walked into Leo’s lab and sat down in the chair that she’d sat in for her entire life. She watched as he strapped her arms down, her golden hues followed him. She could kill him. No. She couldn’t. Her eyes looked away then. She couldn’t kill anyone unless given the command. She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes.

“Now...we haven’t seen one of these before.” Leo spoke as he held up the glowing jewel. “So trial and error.” He grinned as he placed it upon a stand. “It will take me sometime to figure that out though.” He chuckled as he drew up a bright purple liquid. One that Evie had never seen before. She looked to him with almost worried eyes. “Don’t worry.” He spoke as he tied the tourniquet around her arm. “Just a little power booster. The king has big plans for you in the near future. We have to get this jewel’s power into you. But this should help in the meantime. You’re his star. Remember?” Leo chuckled as he injected the liquid. It felt like fire in her veins. The mage tensed and grit her teeth she breathed heavily as she squeezed her eyes shut and slammed her head back against the chair. Leo tilted his head slightly. “Such a nasty side effect isn’t it?” He questioned as he moved and drew up a vial of the usual bright red liquid. He stepped back over. “To have lost your voice at such a young age, why...if I knew that would happen I might have changed the formula. Just a little tweak.” He injected the fluid into her other arm. Evie had scar tissue from the amount of times she had been injected over the years. She grit her teeth and her eyes began to glow as she looked to him. “Ah, ah...you know what will happen if you hurt me.” He smirked to her and then tapped the device around her neck. “Not a good idea, hm?” He chuckled as he stepped away.

Evie furrowed her brows and pulled against the leather straps. She felt like her body was within the center of a bonfire. Her skin crawled. She felt as though she was going to explode. Tears ran down her cheeks as the glow in her eyes brightened as the injections reacted with her magic. She shook her head and rocked against the chair, slamming back against it from the pain. Leo waited until she had calmed down, it took nearly half an hour. He watched her for awhile before he nodded to the guards whom unstrapped the mage and carried her off to her room once again. Evie collapsed forward onto her knees. She shuddered as she crawled to her bed and she climbed upon it. Tears ran down her cheeks as she punched the wall. Blood dripped from her knuckles and she carefully drew runes upon her forearm as she continued to breathe heavily. A spell to numb the pain. Once the rune was complete she leaned her head back and closed her eyes as her knuckles continued to bleed. She let out a breath of relief.

**

Rosalie led Arvid into a home. It could have been called a mansion. It was well decorated. Had it’s own foyer. “You’ll have servants...they will keep you fed and the home clean.” She turned to the viking and gazed to him a long moment. “What other items should I bring you? The king said whatever you would like. He will pay for it of course. On top of whatever salary he has already agreed upon for you.”

Evie was still leaned against the wall her eyes closed, her breaths were even and soft. She was in a light sleep when she heard the knock at the door. Her eyes opened as the prince stepped into the room. Bran... She lifted her golden hues to him as he walked into the room, she gazed to the book and then to the glass container. Evie straightened herself and lifted the book from the bed. It was heavy. The leather was nearly falling apart. She looked to the prince and the corners of her lips pulled upward into a soft, yet sad smile. This is exactly what I was looking for. She looked to him as he sat next to her on the bed. She looked to her arms and a sigh came over her lips, Evie shrugged slightly. The smile had only lasted a quick second. Brother…. Her brows furrowed as she looked to him. She shook her head. Brandon couldn’t think such things of the king. If the king found out. She worried for the prince’s life. There was no telling what the king would do. Look at the things that the king had forced her to do. Children. She could remember the faces of the young and innocent in the first town he sent her to destroy. He had her burn it to the ground. The sounds of the children creaming. It haunted her. Each death haunted her. But why? Why should it? Was it her doing truly? She had no choice in the matter.

Evie sighed softly. You can’t think that, Bran...he’ll know...and you’ll die... Her golden hues looked to him, sadness in her eyes, her brows tugged together with worry. Then who will bring me books and muffins? She nudged her brother slightly. When he kissed the top of her head she looked to him with glassy hues. He always said he would be back tomorrow. Unfortunately that wasn’t always the case. He couldn’t just sneak down into the depths of the castle without being missed. She understood that. Evie adjusted herself on the bed and grasped the book. It was a book on the Elvish Yeartide. She’d wanted to read of the winter festival for years and could never find the book. She’d taught herself Elvish...her mother’s language. A woman she’d never met. Evie ran her thumb over the hand written text. She brushed a tear from her cheek that finally escaped from when her brother left. She reached over and grasped one of the blueberry muffins and tore it in half. She munched on it as she read the book. Reading...was the only escape she had. It was her only peace.

**

Rosalie looked to Arvid and raised her brows. “Women?” She questioned. “I can...uh...” She furrowed her brows then. “A bard?” She questioned him once again. She stood baffled as the man decided to get what he asked for himself. She grit her teeth and chased after him. “Arvid.” She spoke as she walked alongside him. “The king will pay the fees for whatever it is you need. If there is anything that you need, any of these knights can get the request to me so that I can see to it that you are taken care of.” She spoke and then stared after the tall man as he walked into the city. “Does the king really think that this guy is going to help him?” She muttered under her breath and rolled her eyes as she turned and walked back toward the castle. Her sword swayed with the quick movement of her hips.

The General walked into the castle and just as she did she heard his voice, the prince. Of course. Of course he wanted something. Not today. Not after today. She ignored his words and kept marching on as if she hadn’t heard him. It worked in the past. It would work now. When the prince grasped her arm Rosalie was spun around, her ocean hues looked to him, a bit of shock in her expression. “Your highness. I do not imagine that taking me to dinner is---….” He pulled her along anyway. There was no choice in the matter. “Your highness….” She tugged slightly back but the prince did not let up. She looked to him for a long moment as the carriage pulled up. A sigh came over her lips as she climbed into the carriage. “Your highness I have many things to do to prep for training tomorrow...” She paused as the prince looked to her, his tone was serious.

Rosalie searched his eyes as he spoke of the mage. She pressed her lips together. “Ah not even your father wished to hear about the expedition. Good to know his son has an interest in the logistics.” She spoke as she climbed from the carriage. She walked into the tavern and a few looked to her. They knew exactly who she was. “You couldn’t have picked somewhere more private for this conversation?” She questioned him as she looked to the prince. She followed him and took a seat at the table, she forced a smile upon her lips. Rosalie looked around, at least the prince had chosen a booth far in the back of the tavern, no prying eyes or ears. She looked across the table to him. “You do realize that your father will have my head if I am seen to be fraternizing with you, your highness.” She drew in a breath.

“Evie.” She spoke and gazed to him, calming down a bit. Rosalie had never been fond of the king, so she also was not fond of the prince...whom was given everything. “She doesn’t have very good communication...so I cannot really tell you her state...she seemed...upset...” She remembered the look in the mage’s eyes. The way that Evie looked to her right before the attack. Sadness. “At your father’s command she leveled another city. She went into a temple that the elves had there, it was underground. I nearly lost her in the darkness. There was a huge tree of life...if you’ve read anything of elven lore...they mention it quite a bit...” The General paused a moment. She wasn’t certain if she should have told him that she knew of Elven lore. The king had banished almost everything elvish. She bit her lip slightly. “So I’ve heard anyway.” She covered up the slip up. “She retrieved a glowing green jewel from it...but she didn’t tell me anything about it...” Rosalie shook her head. “I asked her about it. But she only shook her head at me. She isn’t much of a talker, as you know...” Rosalie sighed softly after the statement.

Rosalie looked to Bran, her brows tugged together slightly. She leaned back in her chair and sighed as the waitress set a mug down. She held her hand over the top of it and shook her head to the woman. “Wine.” She spoke with a forced smile. “Please.” She then turned her attention back to the prince. Stop fighting him? She scoffed inwardly. As if she was truly fighting him. He wouldn’t stand a chance. “He could careless?” She questioned, her brow raised, she nodded to the woman as she poured the wine. “Beautiful thank you.” She offered up a coin to the woman. She wasn’t going to let the prince pay for this. No. She looked to him with a bit of a glare when he quipped back to her. Then again, she deserved it. She knew the girl didn’t talk. The defeat upon the prince’s face sparked curiosity in the General’s eyes. When he spoke of how she treated Evie, her brows raised slightly.

What was this? A ploy? Did the king put him up to this? Was the king looking to have her beheaded? Was this a trick? She swallowed slightly. “I don’t believe that anyone should walk around in shackles like that, or get dragged around against their will.” She finally spoke after several moments of silence. The General spoke this as her ocean hues locked on the prince. “The girl has such...pain in her eyes...you must see it too...” She furrowed her brows slightly and then shook her head before she took another sip from her wine.

“The king knows what this jewel will give more power to Evie. That’s all he is ever after. He sends her along to raid these cities to bring back the relics of such cities. Six months ago he sent her along with one of the other Generals. I hadn’t seen her since then. I worried that she was injured. But I dare not ask that of your father.” She spoke in a hushed tone. “Her power...” She sucked in a breath. “She made the skies churn...she leveled that city and...it didn’t even seem to tire her out. All of these things that he’s been sending her to collect...it just makes her stronger...” The General leaned forward in her seat, her elbows upon the table. She could see the frustration in the prince. Something she’d never given mind to. A spoiled brat...that’s what she thought of him. But now...perhaps there was more to this prince than she realized. Then the Prince began to speak of Evie...a key. She was the key for the king, the key to winning the war. She was that piece in his back pocket that he hadn’t quite allowed Armalon to realize he had. The ace of spades so to speak.

Then the Prince asked of Evie had ever spoken to her. She shook her head. “No. Evie doesn’t talk, Bran. She just stares at me...I want her to tell me what she’s thinking but it...” She paused and leaned back against the booth as she thought of the words. “Have you ever looked into the eyes of someone...and you can tell that they are screaming...but you can’t hear a sound? That is what Evie makes me feel, Bran.”

After this comment he downed his drink and told her to come with him. Her stomach sank. That was it. This was the moment that he would take her to the king and she would be in shackles by the end of the night. Had Evie told the king of her question? There had been enough time. She bit her lip slightly before she stood from the table and rushed after him, her wine hardly touched. “What are you in such a hurry for?” She questioned as she caught up to him. She looked to him with a confused expression. As they descended into the belly of the castle her eyes looked around to the damp walls. The musty smell filled her nostrils. She shuddered slightly from the chill in the air. “Where are you taking me? The dungeon?” She questioned. He must be. She knew it. She was to be thrown into the dungeon by the end of the night for treason. She should have never voiced her opinions. Stupid. Soldiers do not need to speak their mind, they should only use their sword. Her father told her that time and time again as she grew up.

Rosalie followed him now, silent. As they passed the guard she watched him bow his head to the prince and to her. When they stopped before the door she furrowed her brows. This wasn’t the dungeon. Though when he opened the door her expression went from frustration to shock. Her lips parted as she looked to the poor woman. She looked to the machine as it pumped and hissed. Her ocean hues looked to the prince, “What...” She shook her head as he stepped to the next door. Another woman. Her breathing had quickened. It was heartbreaking. How could this be happening right beneath her nose? The General looked to him as they came to the other two rooms. Four poor souls...her breath caught in her chest as she fought back tears. When he held a finger up she followed after him. She didn’t question him now.

Rosalie watched as he knocked on this door before he unshackled it and pushed it open. Evie. The mage looked up, her breaths quick. Her blankets on her bed were tasseled about. As the two walked into the room and the door closed behind them the General let out a breath as Bran revealed what the other women were. “Gods...” She breathed after a moment.

Evie looked to the two with her golden hues, she shifted slightly and brought her book out from under the heap of blankets. She had hidden it in a rush when the door was knocked upon, afraid that it was Leo or the king. She was nearly finished with the old book already. So much time on her hands...she chewed through books rather quickly. What are you doing with her here, brother? She’s the General...she... Evie shook her head slightly. She marked her book and she stood. She saw the surprise upon Rosalie’s face. Her expression was void as per usual. She’s afraid. I can feel it. I’ve never...felt that from her... Evie tilted her head slightly. It was indeed strange to see General Feir frightened. Or was it fear? Shock perhaps?

“H-How….?” Rosalie finally spoke. Her ocean hues turned to the Prince. “H-how do you let him do this? You are his son. Won’t he listen to you? If he won’t listen to a damn thing that I say...why doesn’t he listen to you?” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “How could he do this? Those women...” Her lower lip trembled. This was an entirely different side of the General. “Evie...” She breathed as she looked to the mage. “Evie...I...” She shook her head, “I never knew that you were kept like this...” She looked around the room. It was no better than a prison cell. Worse really. The servants had better living quarters than this even. “I...I’m sorry...I...” She looked to the Prince and shook her head.

Evie stepped forward then and looked to her brother. Her hands are tied brother. Why are you showing her all of this? Evie sucked in a breath as she looked to the General whom looked as though she was about to breakdown. Why her? The mage looked to her brother, her hues curious.

Rosalie looked to Bran as he spoke. Her eyes looked to Evie. The mage was the king’s daughter. The information hit her like a tidal wave. Her ocean hues stared to the girl and then back to the prince. You told her...he’ll be furious... Evie warned as she looked to her brother, her golden hues moved back to the General though as she felt the woman’s hues upon her. “Everyone is a pawn to him upon the chessboard.” Rosalie spoke after a long silent moment. “I had no idea...how could...” She shut her eyes and shook her head slightly, “He’s a monster, Bran...for doing this to those women...to you...Evie...he’s worse than any beast that I have had to deal with. Worse than anything imaginable. The things that I’ve had to do by his order...” She swallowed slightly.

When the prince stated that he’d shown her all of this in hopes that she could do something about it. Her ocean hues looked to him, her brows pulled together slightly. Evie looked to her brother, a soft smile curved up her lips when he mentioned the book and kissed her upon her cheek. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly then for just a moment. Touch. Was such a powerful thing. Rosalie stared to the mage, she’d smiled. She’d never seen an expression upon Evie’s face. Not once. The General looked to Evie a long moment. “I...will do something...I...don’t yet know what I am going to do...but I will...” She nodded to Evie. The mage stepped to her bed and she grasped another book from beneath the messy blankets. She held it forward to Rosalie, her golden hues searched the woman, as if searching through her very soul. “My sworn duty is to protect the royal family.” Rosalie spoke. “That includes you, Evie.” She glanced to the door a moment. When she looked back Evie threw her arms around Rosalie and hugged her tightly. Rosalie could feel the magic within the mage as she felt her arms around her. She hesitated a moment and then wrapped her arms around her. She was so small. Frail. How could such a small being put out such magic? “I’ll...help your brother, the best I can.” She nodded to Evie as the mage stepped back from her.

Rosalie looked to her armor, the glowing blue pulsed slightly from Evie’s touch. The mage looked to her a long moment before she pulled her book back into her lap and continued reading. Rosalie looked down to the small journal that she’d been given. Her brows furrowed slightly. She then turned and stepped from the room where Bran awaited her. She looked to him with her ocean hues, her lips pressed together. She slipped the small journal into her hip pouch as she followed the prince back through the damp dirty halls. When he apologized she looked to him and gave a nod. “I...am glad that you didn’t, Bran.” She spoke as she searched his hues. When he spoke that he his father couldn’t kill him she gave a weak smile when he smirked. The king could do as he pleased. Even if the people loved Bran. The king would find a way. He wanted her to request him on her service. She could give it a try.

As they stopped before entering the main castle she gazed up the stairwell to him. “Oblivion?” Rosalie questioned, her brows raised slightly. “She told you?” She shook her head slightly. “It is my sworn duty. I shall protect you, as well as your sister.” She gazed into his eyes. When he spoke of the king and how she had more power than he...the prince. Her head tilted slightly. She parted her lips to speak but they had come to the main castle then. Rosalie looked to the prince, his comment. “Your highness...” She spoke, a bit of a blush flushed her cheeks. Being a powerful General in the Crimson Guard...not many looked her direction. It wasn’t that she wasn’t beautiful...most were frightened by the power that she held. Rosalie watched after the prince as he walked away for a moment before she turned and marched down the hallway.

The General made her way to her quarters. She stepped inside and leaned against the door, a long sigh came over her lips. “Damnit.” She breathed. She shook her head slightly. How could the king do this? To his own daughter even? She walked across the room to her dresser and set the journal down upon it. Her eyes looked to the old leather bound book. It’s corners were bent slightly. It had a lot of use. She carefully pulled each piece of armor from her body until she stood in a tight fitting tunic and a pair of shorts. She let out a long breath as she grasped the journal and she made her way to the bed. She lay down within it and a content sigh came over her lips. Being on the road for the attacks meant...a horribly uncomfortable bed. Getting back to the castle meant comfort. She cracked open the journal then. It was all written in elvish. “What...” She furrowed her brows. Rosalie sat up. She walked over to her desk.

The General spent much of the night making out the words in the journal. Her elvish wasn’t very good. She read of Evie. It was her journal, her story. She read of the injections. The pain. The fire that ran through her veins. Her breath caught in her chest and she shook her head. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that Rosalie realized the hour. She gazed to the sun as it began to peek over the horizon. She slipped the journal into her pouch, she wouldn’t leave it in her room. No. Rosalie lay upon her bed and just as her head hit her pillow a knock came from the door.

The door pushed open and a man walked in, he looked to be in his early fifties or so, a grey beard upon his face. He wore the armor of the crimson guard. “Rose what are you doing still in bed?” He questioned as he walked in.

Rosalie was dazed by this sudden intrusion and lack of sleep. “Father.” She shot up from the bed and gazed to her father.

“General. We have training today. Have you forgotten?” He questioned as he stared to her. “Get your gear together and get out on the training grounds. I’m counting on you. You’re the only soldier in this godforsaken guard worth talking about, Rosalie.” He spoke with an irritated voice.

Rosalie let out a breath, “Apologies, Commander. I must have lost track of time. It won’t happen again.” She began pulling on her armor. Her father scoffed slightly before he stepped from the room. Rosalie grit her teeth and shook her head. It was going to be a long day. She moved through the castle with haste, her stomach growled. Not now. She didn’t have time for that. She ran down the stairs into the courtyard and rushed to the battle grounds which were away from the castle, halfway across town. When she arrived the regiments formed before her and saluted her. The General spent the morning training the men and women. She ordered them to duel. She watched their steps. She adjusted their stances. She was truly a cut above the rest.

By noon Rosalie walked back into the castle, exhausted at this point. She glanced to the stairs that led to the underbelly of the castle. She bit her lip slightly as she remembered the night before. She’d been called into the war room. She climbed the stairs and entered with two of the other Generals and her father. The king already stood in the room awaiting his right hands. They spoke of the lost camps. Of the vikings. The king spoke that a viking that was related to the leader of the vikings working with the queen elf had been found and was on their side. She listened to him speak of the jewel. The power it would bring them. Oblivion. The word ran through her mind over and over again. Rosalie eventually stood before the king, alone as everyone else left. “My king. A moment.” She bowed deeply.

“General Feir. My pleasure. What is it?” He questioned as he looked to her.

“My king. You spoke of your son’s failure. The camps. The attack. Perhaps, my king, he would do well to serve under me, in my service.” She spoke, it was very forward. “I could teach him. Mould him into the strength that you need beneath you, a foundation, so that he may one day aspire to be a truly admirable ruler such as yourself, my king.” She spoke the words with confidence, it flowed like fluid from her lips. “He has great potential, he merely needs the proper guidance. And you, my king, you are quite busy with this war. It’s no trouble to me, to help you at all.”

The king watched her a bit of a smirk curved up his lips. “My, my.” He chuckled as he stepped forward and clapped her upon her shoulder. “You are right, Rosalie.” He hardly ever called her by her first name. “Gods your father did such an incredible job with you. You’re the soldier I wish my boy to be. Yes. Take him. Do with him as you will. But, do tell him it was my idea, hm?” He turned slightly and began to walk away. “Oh, General Feir...tomorrow...I’ve heard of some scouts in the forest nearby. Find them. Kill them. Take my son. Show him how to kill those pointy eared rats, hm? He is not to leave your side.” He chuckled. “Then perhaps he won’t spend so much wasted idle time.” The king nodded, “I have a meeting with that idiot Viking.” He chuckled. “Time to get some information about the Queen and her little helpers. Just have to find him first...” He chuckled as he left the room.

Rosalie let out a breath, the prince was right. The king nearly idolized her. She stepped from the room and walked through the castle. She checked around the castle for the prince looking through the library, the study...until she came to the sitting room. A social room, might as well be a tavern. She heard laughter from inside. “Of course.” She sighed slightly. She pushed the door open and looked to see Arvid and the Prince. “Your highness.” She bowed and then she looked to the viking. “Arvid.” She bowed her head to him. She then looked back to the prince. “Your father has requested that you are implemented into my service. We will have a full schedule from now on out. You are not to leave my side during training as well as any of the assaults that we are sent on.” She spoke, she sounded so well practiced. Her ocean hues stayed upon him as she spoke. But when she finished she looked to Arvid. She wanted to tell him the king was looking for him, but she also didn’t want the viking to speak to the king. So she chose silence.

Evie tossed and turned that night. Thoughts of Rosalie and Bran rushed through her mind. The trouble the two could find themselves in. She found herself up early. Or at least she imagined it was early. It was difficult to tell time in the cavern like room that she resided within. She sat at her table and sipped upon a mug of water as she read through the rest of the pages about Yeartide and Winter Fest. It was incredible the things that the elves celebrated. When she heard the knock upon her door, she did not rush to hide the book. She merely lifted her golden hues. She knew that only one person would approach her room at this hour. Brother. She looked to him, another very small smile curved up her lips. You’re alive at least. I was beginning to wonder if I would hear from the guards of your death and the loss of our dearest General. She was joking of course, but she had a serious tone about her. She looked to the mug of coffee with soft eyes. The only time she got coffee was when Bran brought it to her. She smelled the aroma of the coffee and hugged her slender fingers around the mug. Freshly brewed? Did you tell the kitchen it was for you? She sipped from the mug.

Evie gazed to her brother. I...think you may have done the right thing, Bran. Rosalie has a kind heart. Despite what some may speak of her. Despite the cover she shows. His sister looked to the muffin as she unraveled it. Sausage, egg, cheese. She rarely got anything more than slop here. It was a wonder that the king didn’t take better care of her. She was his key to the war after all. But she was his prisoner as well. So he had to keep that in balance. If he treated her like a princess she would grow to strong and fight back. She imagined that was the king’s reasoning. Besides the fact that she was a bastard child experiment.

The mage looked to the prince a long moment as he asked about her book. She pushed it across the table to him. It is about a winter even that the elves celebrate each year. The event that your attack prevented. The king knew quite well when this event was. That is why he spent five years learning his enemy. A sigh came over her lips slightly and she shook her head. She hugged the mug of tea to her chest then and then nodded to her brother. They celebrate the year as it was, and the year to come. They celebrate life, and death...the spirits and the gods. She spoke of Winter Fest and the things that happened during the 12 days. She was excited, a smile or two curved up her lips. She was beautiful when she smiled. Almost like a beacon of light within the darkness. Yet, it never lasted. I gave Rosalie my journal. Evie locked eyes with her brother as she told him this. I wanted her to know...to understand just exactly what the king does...she...she questioned what we were doing in Olivara. She truly questioned it. She doesn’t enjoy the war. I don’t even believe she enjoys killing. I can feel it. When I sit next to her as the soldiers rush into the field, brother. I can feel the sadness within the General. I hope...she can help us... Evie had nodded to him when he left. She cherished the time with him. He was the only peace within her life. The only other time she felt at peace was during travel with Rosalie. Freedom. It was a strange concept to her. Something she never imagined she would truly have. She’d always be played as a pawn, just as Rosalie had put it. She was a tool of war. Born for it. Bred for it. She was the unlucky one. After 5 years of the king trying to make the perfect child to withstand his experiments. Now 20 years later, here she sat. Broken. A shell of a living being.

**

Rosalie looked to Arvid as he pulled the prince back to a sitting position. She looked to his smile. Somehow she didn’t see him as the pompous brat as he was to her just a day ago. How things can change so swiftly. Seeing him angry with the king as she was...it felt good to know that she wasn’t the only one. She wasn’t alone in this. “Yes.” She spoke after a moment, she was lost slightly in his smile. He was a handsome prince, that was part of the reason the public adored him. “Your father demanded that I take you into my service so that you may learn to become a worthy ruler one day. His words.” She spoke as she still stood quite a ways away from the two. “I did not come up with such a plan.” She raised a brow to him as she crossed her arms over her chest. She watched as Bran grinned, he had a wild idea. Her brows raised slightly, her lips parted. “Your highness.” She went to interrupt him but he kept going. Arvid would be under the Prince’s service and since the prince was now under her wing...she would now have to deal with...her eyes looked to Arvid. The ocean blue color studied the man, his brute like appearance. She pressed her lips into a flat line as her eyes darted back to the prince. What was he doing? She let out an exasperated sigh. Perhaps he was the pompous boy that she believed him to be. The king would not be happy with this. “Tomorrow morning, sire. We have already been given an objective.” Her eyes looked to Arvid a moment. “Elven scouts have been spotted in the forest outskirts...” She shifted uncomfortably. “We will meet before dawn and we will find these scouts. They must be dealt with accordingly, your highness. Your father will look highly upon you when we return with the blood of our enemy upon your hands.” The way she spoke, it was carefully chosen. She hadn’t spoken like that when she was alone with him. No. She’d let her guard down when he showed her the underbelly of the castle. When he’d told her the truth about Evie.

“Your highness...I do not believe that...” She drew in another breath. She bit her lip slightly. “I am off duty, you’re correct...but your father placed you on my service that does not make me a drinking partner for you and your...friend...” She looked to Arvid. She reluctantly stepped forward. She had to keep the act up. She didn’t want Arvid to think that she was a treasonous knight of the guard. She sat down and pressed her lips together. “What might we learn of our enemy? Do you know anything of these scouts?” She questioned then. She looked frustrated to say the least.