The Fall of Askabar

“Wh….” Amalliey held her hand up to her head. Her eyes fluttered open and she found herself looking to Azariah as she read the book. “Az…Azariah…” She spoke softly, she sat up slowly and looked around the room to all of the books. “Oh…” She rubbed her eyes. “I…” She felt strange. “What is going on?” She asked, confused. She then thought back to the box. Right when she opened it, she remembered the flash. “I…I saw a dragon, Ryuk…that’s his name…I saw that demon…the one that my father made you summon…that demon killed the mage that was bound to Ryuk years ago.” She shook her head. “I..the dragon he said that I am an Azazel Mage…” She stood then. “Azariah, what is an Azazel Mage? The dragon spoke to me….I thought dragons were all dead…how is this happening?”

**

“Stop where you are.” A mage stood in battle armor. He held his hands up. “State your business here at the tower, knight of Askabar.”

“I am here to protect Princess Amalliey.” He spoke. He sat upon a white horse that was dressed in white and gold armor. He too wore white and golden armor. He had a white cape that hung down from his shoulders.

The mage watched him for a moment. “If you are here for the princess, I ask that you climb down. We must speak with the Grand Master.”

The knight hesitated for a moment before he climbed down. The mage stepped forward. “Princess Amalliey is in danger, I do not have time for this. I must protect her.” He spoke.

**

Amalliey took in a breath. “I…I need a breath of air, I need to get my thoughts in line, this…” She shook her head and stood. She felt dizzy. The spirit of Ryuk had awakened something within her. She looked to Azariah, “I just need to breathe…” She spoke and stepped from the room. She walked down the hall and rounded a corner quickly. She ran into the chest of a mage whom toppled back and the sound of armor hitting the floor clanked into the air. “Oh no! My apologies.” Amalliey scrambled to her feet. “I was in a hurry, I…” Her eyes fell on the knight. “Sir Lionel?!” Amalliey spoke, her eyes wide.

The knight pushed himself up. “Princess…I’m so glad to see that you are alright…” He spoke and pulled his helmet from his head. He had short black hair and emerald eyes, a five o’ clock shadow had grown in on his jawline. “I saw you get on the airship…I saw what your father did…I’m so sorry…” He bowed his head. “I told the other knights that you got on the ship that was headed to Surrey…I had to come to offer you protection, Princess.”

Amalliey stared to him for a long moment, each time she thought of her mother’s death it was a stab to her chest. Her pendant pulsed a red glow for a few seconds. We will end this together, young Azazel. I will help you stop the gate keeper. Ryuk’s voice spoke. Amalliey held her hand to her head and stumbled slightly.

Sir Lionel caught her his hands on her shoulders. “Princess?” He asked, concern in his voice.

“Princess Amalliey…” The mage stepped forward. “Let me see.” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. Swirls of a fiery red moved about within her irises. The mage furrowed his brows slightly. “We must see the Grand Master.” He gave a nod. He then looked to Sir Lionel and back to the princess. “Do you trust this knight, princess?”

Amalliey gave a nod. “Yes, of course I do. Sir Lionel has protected me since I was a young child. My mother chose him to protect me.” She looked to the knight. “He is one of the few that I fully trust with my life.”

The mage nodded. “Come with me.” He led her back to the room where the Grand Master sat at his desk. “Grand Master, forgive our intrusion.”

The Grand Master gave a smile. “Ah…” He stepped forward and looked into Amalliey’s eyes. “How do you feel?” He asked.

Amalliey shook her head. “I’m not certain how I feel, uneasy, dizzy?”

“Thank you for bringing her young mage.” He grinned then and looked Amalliey over, looking to the fire in her eyes. “What is the dragon’s name?” He asked.

“R-Ryuk…” Amalliey spoke, her brows furrowed.

“Oh, that is incredible.” The Grand Master smiled, “You must rely on Archmage Azariah to help you in your journey young Dragon Mage.” He grinned, “You’ve one of the strongest dragons at your side.” He nodded.

“Dragon Mage?” The knight asked. “What do you mean Dragon Mage?” His eyes filled with curiosity.

Amalliey looked to him. “I’m still trying to understand this all myself…come on.” She spoke and stepped from the room. She found Azariah back in the room full of books. “Azariah.” She spoke, she took in a breath and shut her eyes for a moment, trying to keep her bearing. “Tell me what’s happening.” She spoke and sat down on the bed. “I feel different…how do I control this?” The embers still swirled around in her eyes.

Sir Lionel stood in the doorway. “She…she’s the mage that…” He stared to Azariah. “I wanted to defend you…to stop the king from controlling you…” He bowed his head slightly and looked away. “I’m sorry…I was so useless…if the queen hadn’t stopped the ritual the princess would be dead…”

Amalliey sat on the bed and listened quietly to Azariah as she spoke. She reached up and curled her fingers around the pendant that hung around her neck.

Fear not, Amalliey, you were born for this very purpose. I knew from the day you were born that you were different. Her mother’s voice spoke. She stared off, her eyes staring to a bookcase on the wall it seemed as her mother spoke to her. There is something that I never told you, Amalliey, I fear that you are not yet ready to learn this truth…yet it is something that I should have told you years ago. What these mages speak is true, the Azazel bloodline runs in your veins, I knew this. I was not certain that you carried the gift, it as Azariah stated can skip generations. Azariah could see her mother, standing before her in spirit form, her eyes welled with tears slightly, her breath shook. Amalliey, my sweet girl. I was there when the dragons fell. Many years ago, when the world seemed to stop. I was just a child then, with a young dragon to match. When the elves came everything turned to flames…the ancient city that fell to the west…that is our home Amalliey. My father encased my dragon’s soul into the pendant that you wear around your neck, to save my life and to save the bloodline…

“Princess?” Sir Lionel spoke, his brows tucked slightly. He looked to Azariah then, confusion on his face. He moved in front of Amalliey and knelt in front of her, he stared into her eyes and watched as a tear rolled over her cheek. Her eyes were glassy. “What is happening?” He asked, he didn’t touch her. He knew better. He’d been around Elanor, whom taught him never to touch a mage in a trance. He stepped back and leaned against the bookcase, his arms crossed over his chest, worry in his eyes.

Amalliey snapped out of the trance like state then and looked directly into Azariah’s eyes. “Oh…” She breathed, “Yes…let us go to Lendon’s office…I…I apologize…” She shook her head and stood, she didn’t realize that she’d been sitting like that for nearly 10 minutes. In a frozen state. It felt like only seconds to her. She reached up and wiped the wet stream from the tears from her cheeks and sniffled slightly. “Maybe I can learn more of my bloodline?” She asked softly and followed Azariah to Lendon’s office.

Amalliey stepped inside she looked up to the ceiling, beautiful artwork was painted into the domed ceiling of the huge round room. The walls were lined with book shelves. A huge desk resided in the back of the room, next to a window that overlooked the scar. Amalliey looked to the artwork on the ceiling, it depicted the dragons, the Azazel Mages. She stepped to Lendon’s desk. “If Lendon has been in Askabar for 15 years how are we supposed to find anything of use here?” She muttered softly to herself.

A gust of air seemed to push through the room as a book fell from the shelf. Amalliey turned to see her mother’s spirit, standing before her, a soft smile on her lips. She looked down to the book that lay on the floor. It was opened to about 2/3 of the way through the book. Amalliey stepped to the book and lifted it up. She held it and looked to the page before her. “The Azazel Mage…” She whispered as she ran her fingertips over Lendon’s writing. “It has been nearly 1,000 years since the dragons and their Azazel Mages protected us from the evils that roam upon this land…I have worked tirelessly to trace down the lineage, to find some form of a connection, a half blood, anything. What I found was shocking. I found Elanor Zowrey. The Queen of Askabar. Somehow she is connected. I just cannot prove it. But she is of the lineage. She is of the bloodline. There is something about her…”

Amalliey read the book out loud and then fell silent as she continued to read. The book began to speak of her. Just a young toddler at this point. Lendon felt very strongly about her and her powers. He felt something different from her when she was just a child. She flipped through the book looking to sketches and drawings. She then set the book on the table and moved over to another. Her mother yet again pointed out a book, her spirit stood near it. Amalliey grabbed the book and pulled it from the shelf. It was dusty and falling apart. “Oh…” She moved to the desk. “Azariah…I…” She set the heavy book down. It was a book on the Azazel dragons. She’d opened the ancient book to a page that held the image of a family. A mother and a father stood with their young daughter in front of them. The daughter wore the same pendant that she had around her neck. “This…” She looked down to the base of the image. “O’Rourke…” She spoke and looked to Azariah. “My mother…that was her maiden name…”

“Your mother?” Lionel spoke. “That cannot be.” He let out a soft laugh.

“No…no she…um…” She looked to Azariah. “She spoke to me…she was alive when the dragons were killed…when the gate keeper was here last. My mother was there, somehow her dragon’s spirit is in this pendant…” Amalliey spoke quickly, “She’s here…somehow…” She shook her head then.

She looked back to the book and flipped the page. An image of Ryuk and the man that was Elanor’s father sat before her. “Lord Elias O’Rourke the leader of the Azazel Mages with Ryuke the fearsome fire dragon at his side.” She traced her finger over the image.

Amalliey felt the sensation of hot air on the back of her neck then. She turned and her eyes rolled back in her head, turning into the red glow once again.

**

Young Azazel Mage. Ryuke’s voice spoke as he curled around her in the other realm. They were in a beautiful field this time. The sky was blue and clear, the smell of fresh flowers in the air. You are the key to stopping the gate keeper, just as Elias and Noelle once did. I can sense your fear, do not fear this, it is your fate you can not run away from it. You’ve awakened me there is no turning back, the gate keeper is upon the soil. Time is running thin. He will be coming after you, he knows what you are, more than anyone else. Ryuke looked to her his eyes deep.

Amalliey stood and reached forward. She touched his snout. “How…? How am I the key?” She whispered.

Ryuke blew out hot air into her hand. You are the only hope. His voice boomed in her mind. He turned then and looked back to her. Do not fear what you have been given. It is a gift. Remember that. Bring me back to help.

“How…? How do I bring you back, Ryuke?” Amalliey nearly fell as he leaned in closer to her, his eyes were fearsome. That I cannot give you the key to. You must rid yourself of the fear.

The world around her filled with flames then. Ryuke was gone. Amalliey screamed, she spun around, she was surrounded by the flames. “Ryuke!” She screamed, “Ryuke….” She began coughing from the smoke. “Help me! Ryuke! Please!” She whimpered. She fell to her knees. Amalliey fought to breathe. She gripped the grass into her fists, she could feel the heat of the flames. “Stop!” She cried, a huge burst of power came from her body. She stood, her eyes full of fire. The grass around her lay flat, the flames diminished. She collapsed to her knees then as her vision began to tunnel.

That’s it. More of that. Ryuke’s voice spoke.

**

“What’s going on!” Sir Lionel paced. “What is hurting her?” He asked. Amalliey lay on her back, her muscles tense, she whimpered, tears streamed down her cheeks. “Archmage!! Do something!!!” He jumped back as a burst of power came from Amalliey’s body. It was like a wave the went through the room. The book the she held in her hands flipped through several pages, to a blank page. Writing began to appear on the page. Her name appeared in the cursive handwriting. Amalliey Liane Zowrey, princess of Askabar, Azazel Mage.

Amalliey’s back arched slightly, her chest heaved. By placing her in danger Ryuke had forced her to use her magic. Suddenly she fell limp. The red light faded from her eyes. Sir Lionel rushed forward and touched her neck, her pulse was bounding. “What’s happening to her?” He questioned, his eyes wide.

Amalliey’s eyes shot open and she sat up quickly as she sucked in a deep breath. “Ryuke….” She breathed. A gust of air filled the huge room. The heat of flames seemed to enter the room then. Amalliey’s body trembled. “I have to wake him…” She whispered. She looked to Azariah, her eyes swirled with fire. She then stood and rushed from the room. She ran down spiraling stairs until she found herself in the courtyard to the tower.

Amalliey stood, her pendant pulsed with red light. A gust of wind kicked up around her as she whispered in an ancient dialect, words that she’d never seen nor heard in her life. Though, somehow she knew it. A seal began to appear on the ground beneath her, it glowed with an ember appearance. Blood began to drip from Amalliey’s nose as she continued speaking, her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Ryuke was guiding her through this. Aiding her. Another blast of energy came from her body, the ground around her trembled. She let out a cry and fell to her knees just as a ball of fire appeared before her.

As the flames dissipated a dragon stood before her. Ryuke. His eyes were full of fire. His wings were huge. Hot breath came from his nose as he nudged her carefully. It will become easier with each time, young mage. Now we are bound to one another. His voice spoke, Amalliey looked to him with fiery eyes, her breaths were small as she fought to stay awake. He reared and let out a mighty roar, before he burst into flames a stream of flames shot high into the sky erupting into the clouds above before the dragon disappeared into a plume of black smoke.

Amalliey lay in the middle of the seal that she’d created with her magic, it still sizzled and burned. Blood leaked from her nose to the ground, dripping onto the seal. Binding her with her dragon. Her eyes fluttered and finally slipped shut as her body became limp.

Sir Lionel had chased after her, he stood at the edge of the courtyard. “Dragon…a dragon…” He gasped, his eyes wide.

The Grand Master had even come to see. He’d kept a close eye on the trio, awaiting Amalliey to awaken her magic. He stepped forward to her limp body and knelt next to her. He looked to the ancient seal of the Azazel Mage, it couldn’t be drawn. It was something that must be summoned. Something that only an Azazel Mage could create. He brushed her cheek and let out a soft chuckle. “Azariah, we most definitely have our hands full with this mage.” He gave a nod. “She is stronger than I realized. You and her will stand a chance against the gate keeper, she must harness this power…right now it is so much for her body to handle…” He nodded, “Let’s get her inside.” He looked to Sir Lionel.

The knight stepped forward and scooped Amalliey up. He followed the Grand Master into the tower and they teleported up and back to the room with the bookshelves. Sir Lionel set Amalliey down on the bed and wiped away more blood as it dripped from her nose. “We must help the princess…she is injured…she…” He wiped another drop of blood.

“Calm down, she will recover, let her rest.” The Grand Master spoke. He grinned and looked to Azariah. “So, what book was it that caused this? I’ve looked through those books in Lendon’s office numerous times…which book was it?”

Amalliey slept through the night, she didn’t budge. Her breathing would become uneven in times. Though it would smooth out eventually. Sir Lionel paced, worried about the princess. In the young hours of the morning, just as the sun peaked over the horizon, Amalliey opened her eyes. She sat up slowly. “Where…” She looked around the room. Sir Lionel was asleep, sitting on the floor leaning against the bookcase. She stood shakily and tucked a blanket over him. She gave a gentle smile before she looked around the room. She stepped out into the hallway. “Az…Azariah?” She asked the empty hall. She held her hand to her head, it was pounding. “What happened…?” She breathed.

Amalliey looked to Azariah and to the book that she’d slipped away into her robes. “I…” She furrowed her brows thinking. She remembered bits and pieces of what happened. The heat of the flames against her face. She remembered Ryuk’s eyes as he nudged her. Her body still trembled slightly from the amount of magic she’d exerted. “I…that was real…” She breathed as they turned into the kitchen nook. Amalliey followed suite in building herself a plate of food, she grabbed a bit of everything, she’d never really gotten to choose what she wanted. It was always brought to her at the table in the dining hall. She sat across from Azariah and listened, her eyes curious.

Amalliey thought for a moment, she could hear the words in her mind as she shut her eyes, thinking to the summoning ritual she’d performed. The words had slipped over her lips effortlessly. She didn’t stumble in the summon of Ryuk. She didn’t have any faults in the summon at all. “It hurt…” She spoke softly. “By the end my body felt as though it was being crushed.” She thought back to when she’d collapsed. When she couldn’t hold herself up any longer. “Ryuk told me it will get better, each time it will be less painful. Is this true? When you used magic for the first time like that…was it painful? I’ve…I’ve only ever used white magic…I can heal…I’ve never done anything like what I did last night…” She let out a soft chuckle. “I used to tell my mother that I was a strong mage, I can bring things back from the dead…you know? I used to laugh during lessons and ask her what else I needed to learn and she would tell me ‘you’ll see, there is more for you to unlock, Amalliey.’ She knew…didn’t she?”

Amalliey took a bite of her food as she then listened to Azariah again. She was curious to Azariah’s history. How she was bred, to be the perfect mage. It was interesting to think of the concept. Melting two strong families into one, to create a stronger mage than ever seen before. Yet. As Azariah said, she sat before Amalliey whom could do things that she would never even fathom doing. “It is incredible to think that things can just come to me…” She shook her head. “I’ve never really thought of it…the things I do, healing…my mother never had to teach me…I just knew…” She leaned back in her chair thinking.

Amalliey’s eyes widened slightly when Azariah spoke of Lendon, how he made copies of himself. “That’s possible?” She asked, her jaw loose. “I…I never thought of that…I didn’t even know that could be done…that is incredible…” She fell silent to listen then. “Peace with the elves…” She muttered softly and shook her head. “The elves that my father always spoke of were monsters…he thought we were at peace with them when they attacked us five years ago and began this war.”

“They wanted you.” Sir Lionel sat down at the table. “The Elves.”

Amalliey looked to him, her brows tucked in. “What do you mean?”

“It wasn’t jewels, nor was it the scripts in the vault at the castle that the elves were after when they killed our soldiers and our traders. The elven king stated that he would settle and pull back his troops if the king and queen gave you up as a peace offering…” Lionel took a bit of his food. “Of course your mother wouldn’t have it…though the king toyed with the idea, but Elanor wouldn’t even let him speak of it.”

“Why…?” Amalliey asked, “Is it because of what I am?” She asked. “I didn’t even know…how could they know?”

“The same as Lendon, princess. If one tracks the lineage, it is bound to point to you.” Lionel looked to Azariah he gave a nod. “I agree with Azariah, we should go to Alexandria. Search for more answers…I am your sword and your shield princess. I vow to protect you with my life, just as I vowed years ago to protect you.”

Amalliey took in a slow breath, thinking. “If the dragons were supposed to come back naturally…it could be a spell that has been cast…Ryuk spoke of me freeing the souls…the souls of the dragons are locked up somewhere…he said I am the key.” She thought for a long moment. “We should go then…” She nodded, “I want to find out more about my family…my lineage…there are so many questions that I have…yet…no one is left for me to ask…” She muttered the last bit. “Where is this Alexandria? How far? You said we must go to another continent?” She asked curiously.

Amalliey thought a moment, the balance. The thought that she could potentially kill herself, she could completely overshoot the boundaries of balance. It was a frightening thought. She gave a nod, “I know, the Grand Master trusts you to teach me. So, if anyone is capable, it is you.” She gave a warm smile then as they stepped on the teleporter.

Amalliey lowered her eyes, she fidgeted slightly as Azariah spoke of her mother. “She was protecting me.” She spoke softly, “She’d always protected me.” She wrapped her fingers around the pendant, “This belonged to my mother…” She gave a soft smile. “I…I want to find a way to save her.” She looked to Azariah. “If we can, if it’s true, that she can come back…I want to save her.”

Sir Lionel watched the princess for a moment. “The queen was an excellent ruler…if only I could say the same for the king…”

Amalliey sighed softly as they stepped onto the ship. She looked around, it was massive compared to the other one, there were plenty of places to sit, vendors and the like. She looked to Azariah as she sat on the couch and pulled out the book. “Oh…okay…” She spoke and then turned. She looked to the people aboard the ship. A mix of all sorts, mages wandered about, humes, dwarfs…she’d never seen so many of the races.

“Excuse me.” Someone pushed passed her as she stared around at the ship.

“My apologies.” Amalliey spoke as she nearly fell over from their harsh shove.

Lionel grit his teeth. “You don’t deserve to be treated this way.” He crossed his arms, his brows tucked together. “They should have some respect.”

“Sir Lionel.” Amalliey spoke and looked to him. “I do not believe now is the time, I would very much like to blend in as much as I can. Do you not see how I am dressed?” She stared to him for a moment. “The gate lord will be searching for me, the more I can blend the better chances we have for survival. For now we must take this approach, until Azariah has helped me to learn what I can and we have more of an understanding of everything.” She was calm. Her royal tone was held in her voice as she spoke.

The knight stood, he bowed his head slightly. “I understand, princess.” He spoke. “I…I’m sorry.”

Amalliey gave a gentle smile. “No apology needed, Sir Lionel.” She turned then and stepped off into the crowd.

“Princess….” He stood there, but she was lost in the commotion.

Amalliey walked around, she looked to the beautiful art of the ship. She eventually found herself on the bow, looking out over the ocean. It was so calm. Peaceful. She closed her eyes as the gentle mist from the ocean sprayed against her face.

Amalliey. You’re stronger than your father and I could have ever imagined.

Amalliey opened her eyes, her mother’s spirit stood next to her. She looked to the woman, curious. “Father hates magic.” She spoke softly.

Elanor looked back forward, she let out a long breath. There is so much that I never told you, so much that only now I wish I would have done differently…

Amalliey furrowed her brows and shook her head slightly. “Why is it everyone talks in circles around me? Protecting me…” She looked back to the ocean, “You cannot protect someone from everything…if it is going to happen…it will find a way, no matter the case…you taught me that mother…yet…you speak in circles, you protect me.”

Elanor looked away, The elves would have found you sooner, had I not protected you, had I not done what needed to be done…Jonathan would have easily given you up…had I not protected you….he is no father to you. He has never cared for anything but himself, that was always his fault…Amalliey, he… Elanor looked back to her daughter. She turned and placed her hand on Amalliey’s cheek. Her eyes full of sadness. The king is not your father. She searched her eyes for a moment. I had an affair with a mage, a strong mage by the name of Xavier…I did this for you Amalliey. If you were born of a weak lineage, you may not be the mage that you are…

Amalliey took a step back, her eyes widened slightly. Everything in her life that she’d thought of, every bit and piece. Everything was shattering. “I…” She gripped the pendant. Her eyes fluttered as she gripped the railing with her other hand. Her mother’s spirit disappeared, unable to hold the form any longer. Amalliey fought to breathe. She’d lost her mother, the man whom she’d known as her father wasn’t actually her father, which was why he would always give her up easily. Even if he didn’t know, he knew. Amalliey fought back tears. “Mother…I…”

A loud horn sounded and she nearly fell over. The captain began calling out to the crew and they dashed about on the deck. “My lady, inside the cabin please, it is for your safety, we are hitting rough waters.”

Amalliey was led inside by the crew member and she wandered around as the boat began to rock a bit more. “Who am I?” She muttered to herself, her voice barley making a sound. She held back a few tears and wandered the cabin of the ship. She bumped into a lady that wore a white coat and a fluffy tall hat. “Oh…” She spoke as she balanced herself. “My apologies.”

The woman turned to her with a warm smile. “Oh my dear, why such a long face?” She asked she pulled out a small box. “Here, take this.” She gave a smile. “It will make your day better, guaranteed.” She winked.

Amalliey looked to the small box and took it into her hands. It was wrapped in a beautiful ribbon. It was a box of chocolates, some of the best in the land. Amalliey reached into her pocket and found a few coins she set them on the counter for the woman before she headed back into the hustle and bustle of people. Eventually she weaved her way back to Azariah. Lionel leaned against the wall next to Azariah, his arms crossed. Amalliey stepped forward. “Those desserts you mentioned.” She held the small box out, a smile on her lips.

Amalliey nearly fell as the ship moved about. As they rushed out onto the deck she stared to the pirate ship her eyes wide. “Azariah!” She called over the sound of explosions. She was pushed to the side by soldiers and other mages that rushed to the decks. The horn of the ship blew again.

“All hands on deck!!” The captain called. “Everyone who can fight! We are under attack!”

Amalliey was pushed further and further away from where she last saw Azariah. “Lionel!!!” Her voice was full of fear. Her eyes swirled with the fires of Ryuk. She watched as swords were drawn and mages began to combat with their magic. Her pulse raced. She couldn’t focus over the commotion. She was shoved again just as one of the chains attached to the edge of the ship where she’d been standing. She looked to see who had helped her but they were already gone. She felt so helpless. Amalliey pushed herself to her feet, struggling to stay standing against the rocking of the ship. “Azariah?” She spoke, her voice trembled. She gripped onto the railing of the ship to hold her balance just as a cannon ball collided with the side of the ship. Amalliey let out a scream of terror. Her ears were ringing from the explosion. Everything was a blur. In the next moments cold surrounded her body.

Amalliey! No. Open your eyes! You’re sinking! Her mother’s voice called to her, she felt a tug on her arm and the warm touch on her cheek.

Amalliey’s eyes fluttered open. She was under the water in the thrashing ocean. She kicked and fought toward the surface. She could see flashes of light of fire and lightening, explosions. The explosions could be heard from beneath the surface of the water.

No don’t give in Amalliey. Her mother’s voice was distant now. You can make it to the surface… Her eyes began to flutter, she was running out of air, she kicked harder, though it felt like the surface was so far away. Her limbs began to feel heavy. She sucked in a bit of water, her body ached for oxygen. Her vision began to tunnel as she kicked, the fire in her eyes grew stronger.

**

“Amalliey!!!” Lionel called out. “Princess!!!” He rushed forward and sliced his sword into the chest of a pirate. He spun around and was slammed against the wall by another pirate. Lionel kneed the man and then spun and slammed him into the wall, he punched him several times before he stabbed him in the chest. He pulled at his sword as it stuck in the side of the ship. “Amalliey!!!” He called again as he rushed through the chaos. He turned and watched as more of the pirates ran across the chains that connected to the ship. They seemed to keep coming, for every one that was cut down another showed up. He grit his teeth as he was surrounded by three pirates. “I’ve got to find her…” He whispered softly. “Don’t give in.” He spun and kicked one of the pirates he let out a yell and slashed into another before he slammed his fist into the jaw of the third. He was one of the most skilled fighters among the ranks of the knights from Askabar. He rushed forward when he spotted Azariah among the ranks of those fighting against the pirates. “Where is Amalliey?” He called, his eyes full of worry. “Where is she?!” He spun and took a pirate down as he jumped from one of the chains toward Azariah.

**


“Amalliey…” Elanor spoke softly.

“Mother…” Amalliey breathed, her eyes full of tears. “Mother I…”

Elanor pulled her into a warm embrace. “No, do not apologize my sweet daughter.” She spoke and cupped her cheek as she pulled back. “You will persevere, Ryuk will not let you fall to the waves of the ocean.” She smiled weakly. “I can promise you that.”

Amalliey’s eyes fluttered. She gasped for air. “M-Mother…” She fell to her knees.

“Amalliey.” Elanor knelt next to her. “Don’t fight it.” She spoke softly.

**

Lionel grit his teeth. “Amalliey!” He called out again. The pirates were beginning to thin. Something caught his attention in the ocean. An ember light began to appear. At first he thought it was a trick to his eyes. “Azariah…” He spoke, his eyes widened. “What is that?” He feared it was something that the pirates were doing.

The light grew. Then suddenly the water beneath the pirates ship exploded. Bits and pieces of the ship flew in all directions, the pirates screamed as they were tossed from the vessel. Others were charred remains of humans. Suddenly Ryuk shot into the sky from the ocean. He let out a deep roar as he flew toward the large ship.

The captain sounded the horn again. The man stood next to his wheel, his eyes wide. He turned the wheel quickly, kicking the ship into high gear, though it wouldn’t be enough to escape a dragon. Lionel glanced around, looking for Amalliey. He gripped his sword tightly. “Azairah…” He spoke and looked to her, he grit his teeth. He saw something in the talons of Ryuk. The dragon flew forward quickly and with a thrust of his wings he stopped at the bow of the ship. His fiery eyes were menacing. The dark horns that curled up from the top of his head. The thrust of his wings pushed the ship to the side and caused water to blast those that remained on the deck. Many had run inside from the dragon. Ryuk stared at Azariah, he let out a sorrowful cry then as he reached forward. Within his talons he held Amalliey. He set her body on the deck. Her expression was of pain, blood poured from her nose. Her fists were clutched tightly.

Ryuk hovered a moment longer, his eyes looked to Azariah before flames surrounded him and he disappeared into a burst of embers that floated off through the air. Lionel rushed forward. “Princess!!!” He gasped he skidded on his knees next to Amalliey. He felt for a pulse. “Amalliey?” He asked, his voice trembled. “Amalliey…please…” He begged. Her pulse was weak and slow. He took in a breath as he lifted her into his arms. “What do we do?” He asked Azariah. Blood dripped freely from her nose. The limit. The boundary. The amount of power she’d pushed out. It was incredible, though, it came with a cost…

“Amalliey.” Elanor stood on a dock of a busy city. The waves brushed against the wooden poles, the sea mist sprinkled across her face. “This is where I met your father.” She spoke and turned. “Many years ago, I was a young noble. I loved to skip rocks across the water when it was a still day.” She stepped to Amalliey and helped her to her feet. She touched her cheek. “He was handsome, charming, all that a young girl could ask for.” She turned as the memory began to play.

A young version of Elanor sat upon the dock. She had on a beautiful red dress that accented her well. She tossed rocks quietly into the ocean. “You would have better luck at a lake, m’ lady.” A strapping young man spoke as he stepped off a cargo ship. He had Amalliey’s eyes, other features like the shape of his ears and brow line matched Amalliey. This was Xavier. He had short hair and a well groomed short beard upon his face. He wore noble clothing of a mage. He wore a red cap and beneath it a black long coat and black pants with black leather boots. He had pouches that were filled with medicines and the like. His clothing was all accented beautifully with golden designs and lacing.

Elanor looked up from where she sat. “Would I?” She asked, a soft smile on her lips.

Xavier held his hand down to her, “I shall show you, if you will allow it m’ lady.” He bowed deeply. “I would be honored.”

Amalliey’s mother looked to her, “I was already courted and set to marry Jonathan…but I wasn’t happy, it wasn’t what I wanted…but I had no choice…I told Xavier, as we walked to the lake. Yet after I’d spent a few hours there with him, talking and tossing rocks into the lake…I no longer cared, with him, I was comfortable, finally.” Elanor sighed softly as the memory faded into another, it was a dreary night, rain fell from the sky. They stood within a city now.

Elanor walked through the alleyway with a cloak on, pulled up over her head. She slipped inside a home, she sniffled slightly. “Elanor?” Xavier asked, he came from the other room. “My love, what has happened?” He asked, he searched her eyes worried.

Elanor wrapped her arms around him and cried into the nape of his neck for a long moment. She kissed him and looked to him with pain in her eyes. “I can’t see you again, Xavier.” She whispered.

“Elanor…?” He spoke, he held her hands gently. “I can’t lose you.” He whispered.

Elanor let out a small whimper, “I am going to have your child…but…I cannot risk Jonathan catching me, sneaking from the castle like this…he will kill you….”

“I am aware of that risk Elanor…come with me…I’ll keep you safe.” Xavier spoke, his voice calm. They had been together for nearly three years at this point, hiding their love in the shadows. It was painful, but Elanor couldn’t get out of her marriage with the king.

“Xavier…I can’t, I…I must protect our child….the castle is the best protection I can offer…” She looked away, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I can protect our child, Elanor, you know I can.”

“We can only protect our child outside of the castle for so long until the Elves find out about me…about our child…a child can’t hide magic like an adult…Xavier it would be suicide to stay outside of the castle walls…to run away…the king would have us both killed…I…I love you Xavier…” She cupped his cheek and kissed him then. “I’m sorry.” She slipped out into the night.

The memory faded away again and Elanor looked to Amalliey. “I loved him, Amalliey, I’m sorry you’ve never met him…your father is an incredible man…” She spoke and searched her eyes.

Amalliey stood silently for a long moment. “He was…perfect for you, the happiness…that smile…I’ve never seen you smile like that with father…” She then shook her head. “I….”

“It’s not your fault, Amalliey. I allowed courtship from the king, I knew if I had a child that there was a very good possibility that my child would be an Azazel Mage, I had to protect you. The castle would offer the most protection from the outside world…so it seemed…it was only a matter of time before the elves seemed to have suspicions…” Elanor sighed softly. “I only wish I would have never had to say goodbye to your father…”

Amalliey looked around, the world around her began to fade. “Mother?” She asked softly. “Mother what’s happening?” Her voice sounded muddy and far away as everything became black.

Amalliey’s eyes fluttered open. She stared to the ceiling, her body ached. She heard the soft sound of a page being turned in a book. Her eyes moved and she saw Azariah. Her memory was a jumble. She couldn’t recollect what happened. How was she here? She felt blood drip from her nose and held her hand up, a smear of blood ran across the back of her hand. “Oh…” She muttered. She sat up slowly. “Azariah…” She looked to her. “The pirates…?” She couldn’t remember, the last thing she remembered was the feeling of the waves crashing down on her, pushing her beneath the water. “What happened?” She asked, her clothing was dry from the heat of Ryuk’s flames. “Did I fall into the ocean…? Or…were we attacked?” She furrowed her brows. She smelled the food then. Her eyes moved to the plate. “Oh I’m starving…” She held her stomach. She reached forward and began picking at the food, she ate quickly, barely breathing between bites, she drank the glass of water swiftly. Her eyes widened then. “Oh…I…um…I…apologize…I…” She bit her lip slightly. “I can get more for you…I am not sure what came over me…I just felt so hungry.”

Amalliey paused a moment, bits and pieces of what happened began to sift through her mind. She remembered trying to swim free of the depths of the ocean. She could taste the sea water. Then everything was black. She sighed softly and shook her head. “Tell me what happened…” She looked to Azariah, “After I fell…”

Amalliey gave a soft smile. “I wish, I’d had the chance to learn as you did, though, I am grateful to have such a skilled and knowledgeable mage to learn from.” Amalliey tried to remember, she shook her head. “That’s incredible…to think that something like that is even possible…” She held the pendant for a moment as she thought. She winced slightly to the sound of the loud horn. Amalliey looked to Azariah as she left the room. “Oh…okay…” She looked about the room. She found a vanity and adjusted her clothing and attire. She cleaned up the blood from her face that had dried onto her skin. She then stepped from the room to find Lionel awaiting her. “Sir Lionel.” She gave a warm smile.

“Pr….Amalliey.” He stumbled slightly in his words, remembering that she’d told him not to call her princess. “It is good to see you awake…and well?” He asked softly.

“Yes, yes, I am still tired, but I am quite alright…Thank you Lionel.” She smiled gentle before she turned. “The lobby?” She questioned.

“Ah yes, right this way.” He spoke as he led her to the lobby where they met up with Azariah and the elf. Lionel looked to Tyrelian and gave a nod. “We need all the help we can get.”

Amalliey smiled to the elf, “Thank you Tyrelian, we need the information from Lendon’s office more than you know.” She spoke just as the horn sounded as they docked. She looked to Azariah and nodded. She looked to the merchants and the traders, the construction of the city. It was beautiful. Just as the elf said.

“Hey elf, stop staring at her.” Lionel crossed his arms, “You’ve been looking at her far too long.”

Amalliey blushed deeply and looked down. It was then that Azariah shot up from where she sat. Lionel stood quickly as well, his hand on the hilt of his blade. She looked to Azariah for a moment. She gave a nod and looked around. She glanced to a bridge as they moved beneath it. The city had gorgeous architecture. She lowered her eyes just as something wrapped around her body. She let out a yelp just before the boat overturned. “Lionel!!” She cried as she was lifted upward.

The knight kicked and splashed in the water, his armor weighed him down immensely as he fought to get to the edge of the canal.

Amalliey was hoisted upward over the edge of the bridge and tossed over the back of someone. She kicked and fought against them. “Let me go! Let go!” She cried as they rushed through the city. “Get your hands off of me!” She screamed.

“Ow!!” The man called as she managed to elbow him in the back of the head. They toppled forward and he landed on top of her. He wore a black cloth around the lower part of his face. “You’re a handful aren’t you?” He held a wet cloth over her face. “Nighty night.” He spoke with a chuckle.

Amalliey fought against him, the cloth smelled horrible. She gripped his wrist and let out muffled cries into the cloth until eventually she fell unconscious.

**

“Princess!” Lionel pulled himself onto a dock. He was soaking wet. His armor was hard to move. He pulled his sword from its sheath. “You!” He pointed the sword at Tyrelian. “You did this didn’t you?” He asked. “I’ve never had reason to trust an elf. “Where is the princess?!” He snapped.

**

“We got her.” A voice spoke from outside the door.

“How did you manage that?” Another voice.

“Once they got off the ship at the dock we followed them, they got onto a tourist boat through the canals. How stupid. They were completely open to attack. It was easy. We tossed down two ropes, one latched onto the boat and flipped it and simultaneously we lifted her up.” The voice chuckled at the end. “We did what we were asked, he’ll be here soon.”

Amalliey held her hand to her head, the world around her was spinning. What was that horrible smell in the cloth? She pushed herself up and looked around the room. It was a small bedroom, empty mainly. She stepped up to a picture frame and turned it. The image was too faded to see. Though she could tell it was two lovers holding each other in an embrace. She just couldn’t make out the faces. She searched through the room, looking for something to defend herself with. It was then that the door opened. Amalliey spun around her eyes swirled with fire. She thrust her fist forward as her fist became surrounded in fire. Her knuckles met the side of the face of the shadowed figure as it came into the room.

“Woah! Hey!” A voice called. “Wait!”

Amalliey swung in their direction and she was caught from behind. Someone hugged their arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides. She fought against them, pushing against their arms, but she wasn’t strong enough.

“Calm down. I know we didn’t grab you in a…let’s see…approachable fashion.” The man spoke, his voice soft. He was the one holding onto her. “I’ve been looking for you, I heard what happened to Elanor…I also heard you were kidnapped.” His grip loosened.

“I’m going to charge you extra for that, boss.” One of the voices from before spoke.

Amalliey used the slight slack and the distraction to spin around and break free. She backed up into the room, her eyes full of fear. “Who are you? I’m not going back! I…I…” She spoke quickly, tears welled in her eyes. “I…” She thought of the moment her mother was killed by the order of the king.

“Hold on.” He held his hands up as he looked to the fire that surrounded her hands once more. “I am not here to hurt you Amalliey, I would never do that.”

“Then why did you abduct me?!” She cried, her royal tone rang in her voice.

“I had to free you from your kidnappers.” The man stepped forward from the shadows.

Amalliey’s eyes searched his, her jaw fell loose. The flames from her hand disappeared. “I wasn’t kidnapped…I was saved…” She whispered softly as she stared into his eyes.

The man that stood before her lowered his hands slowly. “That…that isn’t what I heard. The king, he has put out a wanted bulletin for the Archmage that attacked the castle and murdered the queen…he stated in the bulletin that you were taken for ransom by this same Archmage, the one that was on the boat with you.”

“Who are you?” Amalliey questioned then. “Tell me your name.”

The man took in a breath, “Xavier.” He spoke, “I--…”

“My father?” She questioned softly.

Xavier’s face lit up then, he grinned. His beard was just was neatly kept, though it held grey hairs mixed into it. “You knew of me?” He asked, “Elanor spoke of me?”

Amalliey shook her head, “Only after her death…” She looked away.

“What do you mean?” He asked, his expression intrigued.

“She’s here.” Amalliey spoke, her fingers curled around the pendant. “Her spirit…” Amalliey took in a slow breath, her pulse was racing. It didn’t feel real. To stand before her father. She then shook her head. “Father…I…” She bit her lip. “The king abducted Archmage Azariah, he ordered her to sacrifice me in order to raise the gate lord--…”

“What?!” Xavier’s eyes grew wide. “He…” His jaw loose. “That demon?!”

Amalliey slowly nodded, “Mother stepped in, she stopped him and he ordered her to be sacrificed instead…Azariah saved me, they would have killed me once the deed had been done…I…” Tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them away and took in a shaken breath. “We are headed to Alexandria…I…”

Xavier’s expression fell. Everything that he’d believed because of the king and what had been stated to the city of Askabar. It was all a lie. “I knew something sounded wrong….everything I’ve heard of Archmage Azariah was all good, even from the Grand Master’s lips himself…is this the disturbance?” He asked. “I heard word that the pools showed signs of a change…”

Azariah looked to him for a moment. “Yes…it sounds like the king is trying to cover his tracks…the disturbance I think was from the summoning of the gate lord…”

“Elanor spoke of this gate lord…” Xavier spoke, “He was laid to rest by one of the few dragons that remained years ago, Ryuk.” He then paused a moment thinking.

“Father…I…” Amalliey stepped forward and hugged him for a moment. “I must find Azariah…she saved me and now it seems I have been taken into danger.”

Xavier nodded. “Oh yes…of course…” He grit his teeth. “I will help you get to Alexandria, I…um…I live there actually…I just had word that you were on that ship and I paid my men to free you…when I was really kidnapping you…” He sighed softly. “Come on, we will find them.”

Amalliey followed him from the small home. They stepped into the streets of the town. She looked around and gave a soft sigh. “They could be anywhere…” She muttered softly.

**

“Where is she?....Princess I’ve failed you…” Lionel spoke softly as he walked through the streets of the town. “If this is at al your doing elf…” He growled lowly.