Beckoning

Aurelia

It was so simple; how could I have been so blind?

There was nothing more for me to do now but rest. I had spoken to the generals, giving orders where needed and taking advice when given. All preparations were ready to start our journey again at dawn. The injured would have to be carried in wagons or horse back if they could stand it. Saira had worked herself raw healing the ones with mortal wounds. I was told she had to be carried to a cot after she collapsed.

I gave strict orders that she remain there until dawn, she was not to use her power until she had her strength back. Kairios had remained with his brother, I saw them from a distance a few times. Regret, sadness and anger all fought for dominance in my heart. Sadness for the pain I had caused, regret that this was how our lives had turned out and anger. Anger at everything.

At Kairios for turning away from me, for the reasons that he had. At the kingdom for allowing things to go this far before starting a rebellion. Above all I was angry at Saira’s brother for starting this war, for taking me away from my children. I would have my vengeance before I could return to them. This land would be cleansed. The foundations for their future would be set.

My mood was dark indeed as I stalked my way to my tent. Next to the entrance sat Mana. I didn’t have anything to say to him at this point. This day had stollen all kindness from my words and I was tired of it. He stood as f he was about to say something but I gave him a silent order to leave me be. He sat back in his chair and I rolled my eyes at him.

“No one is to disturb me.” I said curtly.

I ripped the flaps shut and threw my weapons on the desk. Next was my armor that I should have treated better, but I threw it in a pile anyways. I sat now on the edge of my bed staring at my hand. The ring there clean and glistening. He had told me to call him back, that we were done. If I did this now then that would mean the true end of our relationship.

I hadn't been the one to end it. It had been both of us. There was no way around it now. It had to be done. I needed his help; we needed his men. “Forgive me.” I whispered to the last shred of love that Kairios and I shared for each other. Maybe with time we would find our way back to each other, or at least some kind of peace.

I lifted my hand close to my lips and pressed them to the feather shaped ring. “I burn with you.” My voice was low but the words were clear.

I knew they were the rights words. As soon as I was finished saying them, the ring began to burn! The heat of it was intense but I could take it. The ring started to melt! Instead of the liquid sliding down off my finger, it started to sink in. A sharp light emitted from it and when I opened my eyes, the design was now permanent on my skin. Inked there for eternity.

I looked around the tent, a small part of me hoped that he would appear here. That he would be standing in front of me with a bottle of fire wine in one hand and a smirk one his face. He would say to me, took you long enough. But the tent remained empty. I remained alone.

I laid back and rested my head on my pillows. I needed this day to end. I closed my eyes and found that sleep wanted to stay as far away from me as possible. I tossed and turned; my blankets became tangled in my legs. My mind was a sea of concerns and plans. I thought constantly about the battles ahead. Soon we would face magic in place of swords, demons in place of humans.

Many of us would die. There was no way to avoid that. More and more we heard reports of the demons and their powers. Some were so wild that they told of cities being burned down with the single touch of a monster made a lava. Others were of men drowning, but no source of water lay near them. Soon I would have to fight in my dragon form.

Kairios would be capable of fighting the fire demons. All he would need was water nearby. His control of water and things in nature were a major asset. I would be able to withstand their flames, my scales were designed for heat like that. The water was a concern for me. There was nothing that I could do against that. Saira could work her magic and with the help of Kairios, they would be unstoppable.

I thought that would be us in the end. Me and him against them all. But it would not be so. He would fight with me yes, but not next to me. The thought hurt, deeply. What would the children think of their parents when they were older? I laid in my worries for a long while after. Sleep continued to elude me as the hours went by. Eventually I had no other choice but to get up and go for some fresh air.

Mana was asleep in the chair he sat in earlier. So, he did sleep. I crept passed him as silently as I could. The only noise was that of my bare feet in the grass. I had no destination in mind, I just wanted to be on the move. I saw the moon high in the sky and stood a moment to take in the beauty of its crescent shape. The sky was clear and the stars shone brightly.

I continued on a bit, I noticed and did not stop when my feet went from grass to dirt. I had no boots on and let the soft mud squish through my toes. I looked behind me and saw the way we had come. The miles we had marched to get to this point. My tent stood somewhere in the middle of our camp, when I looked in both directions, I could see tents as far as the night would allow.

I looked up the road at the path we would continue on tomorrow and wondered how many miles before our next battle. I knew what lay in wait for us there. All I could think of now was who would hate me at the end. Suddenly I was very tired and turned back towards my tent. The grass was wet and washed away the mud from the road. By the time I got back, my feet were clean and Mana still slept.

I crawled into my bed and let my face burry deep into the pillows. I finally fell asleep. I dreamed of flying. My wings spread out and wind whistled around me. Pure joy filled me. I flew over the open ocean and watched myself in the ripples of the water. It was so peaceful. Until my side began to burn.

The black mark that would forever cover me burned like it had the day I was hit with it. The dream shifted from clear, peaceful skies to an open room overlooking the warlock kingdom. There were no walls. Only large dark grey columns that supported a domed roof. There was nothing alive in here. No plants or trees, no decoration of any kind.

The only structure in here was the square table. It wasn’t very large and only had two chairs, facing each other on either side of the table. I was no longer in my dragon form either, but in the dress I had worn the night I went for dinner on Galorian’s ship.

“Welcome, Dragon Queen.”

I knew that voice, remembered it. A part of me wanted to cringe away from it, to hide the marred flesh that he had left there. But I would not give him the satisfaction of my fear. I squared my shoulders ad stood as tall as I could.

“What do you want?” I had never learned of his name; I didn’t know what to call him.

“I wanted to talk, obviously.” He said as he walked over to the chair on the far side of the table. He waved his hand and glasses appeared before both chairs. Next to the glasses were decanters full of dark red liquid. He poured himself a glass and lifted it to his nose.

“What is there to talk about? You have brought this down on yourself. You have come into my lands and attacked my people. You even tried to have your sister killed, and have tried to kill me as well. No talk can change that.”

“All true yes, but more then all of that, I want to talk about the future of our kingdoms. You will fail in this fight; you know that don’t you? The powers of a Shifter, Elf and Warlock princess are not enough to stand against the army I have created.” He spoke in such a lazy way that it seemed like he didn’t care what I had to say.

“You know nothing of the people you speak of. Our power together will be enough.” I hoped that was true.

“Will it? It seems that your lover has turned away from you. How long will he stand by your side in this fight?”

How did he know about that? Was he watching us? I would have to as Saira what magic he used.

“You're behind that band of bastards, aren't you?” The realization hit me like lightning.

He chuckled and said, “oh yes, they were very affective in dragging you from your capitol before your army was ready.”

I walked over to the chair designated for me and sat down.

“There is no way we can talk this fight over. We cannot live in the same world together. That is made clear to me.”

“So, leave these lands and take your children with you. This war has gone on too long. Let me have what my ancestors fought for. Total rule. Go with your pirate and live a life of peace.”

“There is no way I could live in peace while you were king.” I said with as much venom as I could muster.

“You are foolish, aren't you?”

“This is done. Let me free of this. We will let our weapons and powers do the talking when I see you on the battle field.”

A final smile and a wave of his hands and the dream was ended. I opened my eyes and I was back in my tent. I had so many questions to ask. They would have to wait. The sun was starting to rise and we needed to get on the road.