Royal Twins
Chapter VI - Old Enemies and New Friends

The sun shines through the slits of the tent and heats up the space. Sara opens her eyes to see herself alone in the bed of the Black Prince. She turns over with a black fur blanket draped around her body. She looks down and notices she is wearing nothing, not even her under garments. Only the blanket conceals herself from the rest of the world.

“Alright, I have discovered my limit for drinking.”

As she stands up, she can smell something delicious coming from right outside of the tent. Cautiously, Sara decides to stick her head outside to see Bryne cooking food over an open flame. He is wearing his black leather pants and black wolf leather armour with his swords and bow on his back as always.

“Mmm,” says Sara, “Smells good.”

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” he responds as he turns to look at the beautiful woman standing in his tent.

“No, not at all. But I think I should probably get dressed before eating breakfast.”

“I think you look perfect in fur,” he jokes as she rolls her eyes.

“Yeah? Well, I don’t know how it would look to see the High Queen walking around naked.”

“You have a fair point, but you have to think it would make you quite popular. In all seriousness, I do have something for you.”

He leaves the fire pit alone and squeezes past Sara into the tent. He opens a bag and pulls out a set of armour and clothes. It is black armour with gold trim and white fur. He holds it out to her and she grabs it gently.

“It’s beautiful”

“I had Kate bring it with her when she arrived. It’s made of some of the strongest metals in the world only found in Elvland. It was given to our people from them in a way of peace between great nations. I want you to have it.”

“I love it. Thank you,” she kisses him deeply on the lips. “Now go cook the breakfast, I’m starving.”

He leaves the tent to continue to attend to the food. He pulls the eggs and bacon off from the fire and separates it when he hears a familiar voice.

“Food smells good,” Tucker approaches the tent.

“What are you doing here, Tucker? I mean it is kinda early in the morning.”

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for what I said last night. I was clearly out of line and I shouldn’t be sticking my nose in something that doesn’t concern me and-,”

Bryne holds out his hand to indicate Tucker to stop rambling. He sighs heavily and decided to stand up in front of Tucker. After a moment of starring face to face, Bryne extends his hand out offering to shake his hand. Tucker graciously accepts the offer and the two shake hands.

“There is nothing to apologize for. You were looking out for a lifelong friend. I can’t blame you for that. Fromm doesn’t like my people, so I can understand his scepticism.”

“Why doesn’t he?”

“I honestly don’t know. But that is between me and him. Whatever this feud is between him and I, won’t ever change my opinion of you. I see you as a brother that I’ve never had.”

“Thanks,” he lets out a huge sigh of relief. “You don’t know how much I enjoy hearing that.”

“So, did you replace any cute available guys last night?” asks Bryne.

Tucker looks confused and shocked at the question.

“How did you know I was gay?”

“Dude, I am not stupid. With the way Courtney was hanging off of you and you too didn’t even kiss, anyone could’ve figured it out. Besides I spent my life reading people.”

“Huh, interesting.”

“So?”

“No, I didn’t meet anyone,” shrugs Tucker. “Speaking of which, how did the night end for you and a certain blonde girl.”

“Come on, Tucker. A gentleman never kisses and tells,” he replies with a sly smile.

“Well, then I guess you should keep your secrets.”

“You want any breakfast?”

“Thank you for the offer but I have to meet up with Alex and Courtney. Fromm is giving us some training in combat this morning.”

“How is the translation going?” asks Bryne.

“It’s pretty crazy right now. There are half a dozen scholars from all over the world upstairs working on it all hours of the day. They are all stashed away in the war room right now. I have a feeling they are getting close to solving it out. Do you know any Elvish?”

“Very little. But I am not sure it is just Elvish they are translating. It is something much older and even possibly a dark language.”

“Why do you think that it’s dark?”

“Why can nobody speak it anymore?”

“Good point. Well, I should get going. Thanks for the talk.”

Tucker walks off towards the training courtyard. Almost on que, Sara comes outside from the tent in her full ancient armour. She smiles as her freckled face and blue eyes shine with the sun. She gives Bryne a spin showing off everything.

“Incredible,” Bryne says in awe.

“Well, thank you.”

“I still like what you were wearing before.”

“Shut up. Come on let’s eat.”

She grabs a piece of bacon from the pan and eats it and sits on the ground beside Bryne.

“You were really sweet to Tucker.”

“Well, he really is a great guy. I know he didn’t mean anything personal about it. I guess sometimes I can get a little angry.”

“No, you?” she says sarcastically. “Never.”

“Anyway, speaking of Tucker maybe you should consider training with them later on in the courtyard.”

“That would be a good idea. Perhaps you can give me some training time as well.”

“I can do that.”

He leans over and gives her a kiss on the lips. She puts her arm around him before eventually sitting down on his lap. She feels his soft warm lips upon her neck and she starts to giggle.

“My stubble again?”

“No, we are right out in the open. Anyone can see us right now.”

“You are the one that got on top of me.”

“Well, maybe we should take this-,”

Just then the ground begins to rumble underneath their feet. They both stand up to their feet to brace themselves. After only a few seconds it stops and a loud boom echoes throughout the world. A black stream with a high pitch screech shoots up from the ground and into the sky in the far distance. They both hold their hands over their ears. The sound is felt into their very souls. A cold breeze blows by that chills them to their very bones. The stream and terrible screech eventually stop, but a layer of pitch-black clouds fill the horizon sky to the west.

“What was that?” asks Sara.

“She is assembling her troops for attack. War is now upon us. I fear her involvement is only a small part of this war.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s been on the rise for years trying to open up the land of the dead, the Dead World. She will rise the great king himself from the dead if we do not act promptly.”

“You mean she is trying to rise Dubhan from the dead.”

“Dubhan was never killed, he and his army were trapped in the Dead World.”

King David runs up to Bryne and Sara. He soon stops to catch his breath when he sees the two looking at the dark sky.

“Hey guys,” he says to them.

“Hey David, it looks like its time,” responds Bryne.

“It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?”

“What can we do for you?” Sara asks David.

“We are holding a secret council in the council room in about an hour. Both of you are requested to attend.”

“Both of us?”

“Do you know what for?” asks Sara.

“They have a possible location on either a clue or the weapon itself. However, they need all of the information they can get before we can make an assessment. I figured with you on your travels, Bryne, you may be able provide some insight.”

“If the council wants me to be there, I will be there immediately.”

“Good to hear.”

They both bang their chests with their fists and walk off in opposite directions. Sara and Bryne walk off towards the castle while David look for other members.

“What was that whole chest thing you just did?”

“It is kind of a salute between warriors.”

They quickly move up the hill towards the main gate that remains wide open with people gathered looking towards the sky. Sara’s mind continues to race as she hears murmurs and eyes looking at the two.

“So, are we, you know, official?” asks Sara.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, are we keeping our relationship a secret from everyone?”

“Well, I’m pretty sure there isn’t anyone important that doesn’t already know about us. Especially after last night.”

“Fair point.”

“Are you nervous about people knowing?” he asks concerned.

“No, of course not,” Sara starts off, “Well, maybe a little bit. I am sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, princess?”

“Seriously? Still calling me princess?”

“Still calling me The Black Prince?”

“Oh, come on, the world calls you that.”

“You still have a problem with me calling you princess?” he asks cracking a sly smile.

“Actually, not so much. Well, here we are.”

She says as they approach the front doors of the castle and the two guards open it for them. Bryne allows Sara to enter the castle first. She leads the way down the hall and down the stairs toward the council room. Two more guards stand on both sides of the entrance. Sara gives them a nod and they open up the two heavy stone doors allowing the two to enter. Inside the room already sits Alex, Fromm, Rasham, and Rahm. Fromm stands up immediately when he sees them walking in.

“What is he doing here? He has no business among the council,” he confronts Bryne as he eyes him down.

“And what business do you have here?” he responds to Fromm. “Oh, that’s right, you enjoy sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

“I’d watch very carefully who you talk to like that.” Fromm gets right in the face of the warrior who clenches his fists.

“Sit down both of you,” orders Alex, “We are not here to squabble about your differences. Bryne was asked to be here by me, King Rasham and King David. We both believe he could have some insight based on his travels.”

“You heard him,” Bryne states, “Sit down.”

“This is a bad idea.”

“Fromm, sit down or leave,” orders Alex.

“He is a killer.”

“Your right,” says Rahm. “We should’ve brought in a florist to defeat the Queen’s army.”

“That’s not what I am saying.”

“Look, Fromm. I hate Bryne as much as anyone here.”

“Thanks, Rahm,” says Bryne. “I can always count on you.”

“But he is the greatest warrior in combat we have. He may even be the greatest in all of the world. Not to mention he knows these lands better than anyone.”

They stare at each other for a moment longer before Fromm finally backs down and returns to his chair.

“Don’t make me regret this. I still don’t trust you.”

“And what would you do about it?”

“Bryne, enough,” orders Sara, now getting herself involved in their feud. “Sit.”

Katherine, David and Anne enter through door followed by Calistus. Everyone enters taking their assigned seats around the table. Calistus gives a slight smile at Alex before taking her seat. Alex returns the smile before banging the gavel loud across the table. The room goes silent and all eyes are upon the young leader.

“Thank you for all that have joined us here,” starts Alex, “Rasham, will you tell the council your replaceings.”

Rasham willingly smiles at Alex and stands up to address the council.

“My lords and my ladies, first of all we have discovered that this is journal is not of any form of Elvish. Ancient or not we cannot read it.” Everyone looks around at each other on shock and confusion.

“So what is it?” asks Katherine.

“We believe it is Hishonian.” The Elvish king answers. Katherine and Bryne look at each other and exchange looks.

“You two have experience?” asks Fromm.

“You could say that,” responds Katherine.

“May I?” asks Bryne reaching out for the journal. Rasham hands it over to him. Bryne cracks it open and looks through it briefly.

“Well?” Katherine asks Bryne.

“It is Hishonian.”

“You know how to read it?” asks Sara.

“Not enough to be able to translate it. It really is a lost language for the most part.”

“So what exactly would two members of the Northern royal family know about the Hishonian?” asks Fromm, “Aren’t they just a tribe of savages?”

“They are not savages. They are perhaps the greatest warriors in the world,” says Bryne hotly.

“Who are they?” asks Alex calmly.

“And you said for the most part,” adds Sara.

“The Hishonian are an ancient tribe of our kind. Our mothers were both Hishonian before they were killed by Lycus,” starts Katherine. “Those that have the ability to turn into their animal spirit are of the Hishonian blood. When the Hishonian tried to over throw the throne of the North, he killed the leaders of the rebellion and the survivors were sent into hiding. He banned even the name of the tribe to ever be spoken. Now, they sit in hiding in-,” she says before being interrupted.

“Kate, no.” Bryne says abruptly.

“Bryne, this is the Council of Kings. This is not the place for secrets,” Katherine pleads.

“Oh please, the elves are famous for their secrets and Rasham knows that better than anybody,” starts Bryne as Rasham can’t help but nod in agreement. “Also, this isn’t even the Council of Kings anymore. There are exactly two kings in this room. The rest is a queen by marriage, a rebel princess, a future king and queen if we survive this war, two royal young siblings and some asshole.” He finishes looking at Fromm.

“That’s it, you disrespectful little shit.” Fromm stands up slamming his fists down on the table. He charges at Bryne with anger in his eyes.

“Here we go again. I say we let them get it over with,” mocks Rahm.

“Fromm don’t do it,” warns Katherine.

“I say we just let them finish this feud once and for all,” suggests David.

“Both of you, that’s enough,” orders Alex. “If we must settle this feud between the two of you it will not be here.” Fromm stops a few feet away from Bryne. “Bryne, you obviously won’t give this council the location of the Hishonian. Just answer this, do you know of someone that could translate this.”

“Yeah, possibly.”

“Could you take the journal to them, have them translate it, and replace the weapon?”

“I could do that, but I travel alone.”

“Why don’t we just invade their home and replace out their secrets and then translate it ourselves?” suggests Fromm.

“And accomplish what?” starts Anne, “Wipe out an entire culture while weakening our own armies.”

“She’s absolutely right,” responds her husband. “Have you seen the sky? Time is running out. We can’t afford to waste time on a whim. The Queen’s armies are at full force. My little troops defending my kingdom won’t be able to hold them off for much longer, I assure you.”

“So we are just supposed to trust this person we know very little about with the fate of the world?” asks Fromm.

“I trust him to get it done,” responds Alex. “Shall we vote on this decision? King Rasham?”

“We don’t really have any other option. So yes. By the way kid, we do have secrets and so does every nation here but that is what makes us the Five Kingdoms and not one. We are able to live the way we want to live.”

“Thank you for that piece of wisdom. King David and Queen Anne?”

“Yes.”

“Even though it means you won’t be out there fighting alongside my husband, I realize this is larger than even one king. I support you, Prince Bryne, and Alex son of Daniel in this quest. I will pray for you both.”

“Thank you, my lady, for your support,” replies Bryne.

“Princess Katherine?”

“He may be a gigantic asshole but he’s also my brother. And for actually both of those reasons I know he’ll get the job done.”

“Sara?”

“Do you have to actually ask me? Of course, I trust him.”

“So be it,” says Alex, “The fate of the world rests in your hands, Prince Bryne of the North. Now, to other business, King Rasham, have your scouts returned yet?”

“No my lord. But we are preparing the ships as we speak. My fleet is ready whenever we need it. I believe they should be back within the next few days if not sooner. We have also sent a scout ship home to grab the rest of our armada.”

“Very well. King David, are you’re troops ready?”

“They are prepared for anything, Alex. I have sent a few men to bring back the soldiers on the front lines. That way we will be at full force.”

“Great, I am sure the Queen will be doing something similar. She will want to be at full force as well, I am sure. Princess Katherine, how are your troops?”

“Ready for battle as always, my lord.”

“Good, if there isn’t anything else, I call an ending to this council.”

Everyone gets up and leaves the stone room. Bryne stays sitting and Katherine notices. She decides to stay behind with him. The princess walks over and sits down beside her brother.

“You know I don’t think Fromm is standing out there waiting to sucker punch you,” she says jokingly.

“You know he wouldn’t stand a chance anyway.”

“I don’t know, I think your ego might get in the way of your blade.”

Bryne rolls his eyes at his sister’s comments.

“What’s going on little brother? Is it Sara? The mission? Talk to me.”

“Yes and yes. I’m not sure where I belong in this world. I don’t know if it is with you in a throne room or leading an army. I don’t know if I can involve myself in this war. If I do, I may fail everyone, and I don’t know if I can defeat him. And I know how selfish it sounds but I don’t know if I am that good of a person. What if I am father? I mean his blood flows through me. And even worse, what if I really am the heir of Dubhan?”

Katherine’s jokingly smile turns into a stern look.

“You know you aren’t our father. I know that because every time you tried to kill him you never did it for power or money. You have never cared about those things. Many people don’t know the real Black Prince, but I do. And you kill for one thing. Honour. And that other thing, we don’t even know if you are truly are the bloodline of Dubhan. And even if you are, that doesn’t mean you are him. You are the Prince of the North and my brother. That’s who you are and the people will follow you to the end. You know what your destiny is like and maybe you do fall but if that means a glorious death and Sara survives, is it worth it?”

He pauses for a moment to think about himself and all of the things he has done, good and bad.

“Absolutely, I would die for her.”

“And the glory of being the hero of the world?”

“That certainly doesn’t hurt, now does it?”

“Then, I think you have found your motivation, brother. Stop letting this legend that you have created blind the truth. You are not evil and you will be victorious. Our names will echo through all of the great halls for all of eternity. Now, get out of here. You have a job to do.”

He starts to walk out of the room when she yells at him one last time.

“HEY,” he turns around to see her smirking. “I would never have you next to me in the throne room. You are too much of a brute. I don’t even know how Sara can stand to be around you.”

Sara and Alex walk out of the council room together and head upstairs to the main hall. Unspoken they both walk to the courtyard to see Courtney and Tucker training with a couple of Berthold soldiers. Tucker strikes with a wooden sword on one of the soldiers but it is blocked by the soldier and Courtney joins in and swipes up his feet and trips up the soldier while he is distracted be Tucker.

“Very well,” says the soldier as he stands up, “Team work is very important on the battlefield. Without it, we are all lost. Ah, my lord and my lady.”

He bows to Alex and Sara as they both approach.

“You guys are looking well,” responds Alex.

“They are learning very quickly. Would you like to train as well?”

Sara picks up one of the wooden swords and goes after the soldier. She swings at him without saying a word and he blocks it. They exchange a few strikes at one another but soon after a blocked strike, Sara slides her sword off of his, spins and lands the wooden blade right before his neck. She leaves it there for a few seconds and throws it to the side landing in the dirt.

“Damn, where did you learn to fight like that?” Tucker asks.

“I’ve been practicing,” she replies.

“She is pissed off about something,” says Alex.

“Should I not be? You make a decision in the council as if you are the only one in there.”

“You could’ve voted no.”

“No I couldn’t have.”

“Why not?”

“Because it was a good idea. Why do you always have to be right? Damn you, Alex.”

“I am sorry, Sara.”

He brings her in for a warm sibling hug as the others watch at the drama, unsure of what must’ve happened in the council.

“Well, you learn quickly non the less. I fear for whoever crosses blades with you, while you are pissed off. My lord, would you like to give it a shot?”

“Um, sure,” Alex replies trying to regain his composure in front of one of his men. He steps up and grabs the wooden sword from the dirt as they square up. He raises his wooden practice blade to his side and holds it there.

“You do not attack?” questions the soldier.

“He is a strategist. Like any great king or warrior,” says Fromm as he approaches the courtyard.

“The best offence is a great defence,” answers Alex.

“Wow, did he really just quote that?” Sara says cracking a grin.

“Yes he really did,” jokes Courtney.

“What? It’s a great quote,” responds Alex.

“And used by every coach, general, president or leader of all time,” points out Sara.

“Don’t listen to them, Alex.” The voice of Bryne says from the edge of the courtyard, “However, prey waits. The predator attacks.”

“Don’t listen to him specifically,” responds Fromm approaching to confront Bryne.

“How about a demonstration between two great warriors?” suggests Tucker.

“Please,” begs Courtney.

“It would be nice to have the two of you blow some steam with each other,” agrees Sara. “All you two do is bicker like an old married couple.”

“Let’s do this,” Bryne pulls out his dual wielding swords and twirls them.

Fromm only nods but pulls out his sword and watches his rival’s every move.

“Were they supposed to be using real weapons?” asks Tucker.

“Probably not,” sighs Alex.

“Are you going to do anything?”

“Nope.”

Bryne charges forward with a bound in every step and spinning his blades faster and faster. Fromm struggles to concentrate on just one as he gets closer. Fromm swings at Bryne but misses high when Bryne slides by him and hits Fromm in the back of the knee with the handle of the sword. Everyone watches intensely as Fromm drops to a knee. He goes to stand and sees two blades coming at him and parries the blows just in time. Fromm pushes off, causing the smaller warrior to stumble backwards a bit. The two of them clash back and forth for what felt like forever. Although it seemed to last a while, it seemed like at times Bryne was almost toying with the Protector.

“Somebody isn’t as young as they once were,” mocks Bryne.

“Some of us weren’t born to kill. Some of us have learned to live and love.”

The smirk on Bryne’s face disappears and pure rage flows through his body.

“That’s right, I can’t love. That’s the word on the street. Interesting coming from a man who isn’t allowed to feel anything.”

“You know nothing of me or my kind. All you are is a slave to your father.”

Fromm strikes angrily, and his handle is caught between the two blades and ripped out of his hands. The sword flies from his hands and sticking into the ground. Bryne grabs him by the collar with one hand and punches him in the face with the other. Bryne continues to take his bloody right hand and clearly shatters his nose. He repeatedly continues a few times before Spartan kicking him through a small white fence that surrounds the courtyard Fromm lands on the grown staining the white fence and green fence with his red bloodied up face.

“That is enough the both of you,” orders Alex. “I need both of you somewhat healthy for battle. Bryne, are you ready to go to the Hishonian?

“Yes, I will be on my way here shortly. I was mainly coming here to see if I could speak to your sister before I leave.”

“Of course, you do not need my permission,” he responds. “Good luck, Black Prince. For all of our sakes.”

Fromm begins to stand back up and to his surprise, a hand belonging to Bryne is held out for him. He accepts the help up revealing his bloodied-up nose and stained beard.

“Why help me up?”

“Because you are not the enemy of me and I am not the enemy to you. My people would now say you and I are now brothers. You have earned the respect of me and my people.”

Fromm is left on his feet in shock as Bryne nods at future king and turns around to walk to his horse just outside of castle walls. To his right, he is joined by Sara who runs up to him hanging off of his arm. He stares at her and refuses to look away. Even a small grin peaks through his lips. He tries to hide it but is too late.

“What?” She asks.

“Nothing.”

“I think I have seen you smile maybe twice in the month we have known each other. So either you had a lot of fun kicking the shit out of Fromm or you’re up to something.”

“My sister just got me thinking about some stuff.”

“Oh, what kind of stuff?”

“Like, what am I fighting for, type of stuff.”

“I see. Did you replace something?”

“I found someone. Sara, I love you. I want to give you something special.”

He reaches to his back and brings out the bow and holds it out to her. She grazes her hands along the smooth ivory and wood. She now sees the engraving of a wolf along the body. Eventually, she picks it up admiring the craftsmanship in the bow itself.

“Are you sure?” She asks, “This looks quite unique.”

“It is unique, it was built specifically for me. Just like my swords, my armour and just like you.”

She blushes at his cheesy comments but can’t help but look up into his glowing yellow eyes and smile. She smiles a sad smile as if she will never see him again.

“In my culture the giving of a bow or weapon is the same as many when they give someone a ring.”

“Are you meaning like a marriage proposal?”

“I know it seems really soon but I, uh, don’t know if what the future has planned for us. And I just-,” suddenly she gently puts her finger on his lips.

She soon removes her finger and replaces it by and pressing her lips on his. In the sunset to the east and the dark clouds out of the west, they spend the moment stopping the world. If even for a short moment, nothing else in the world seems to matter. Not their future or past, just right now, right here.

“The great warrior was rambling,” she says as she pulls away slightly. “We will see each other again and we will win this war. But regardless I do accept this bow and I will marry you when we are back in each other’s arms.”

She pulls back slightly and reaches around her neck, pulling off her beautiful golden sun necklace with a pearl in the center. She places it in the warriors’ cold hands and closes them.

“In case you need motivation, just look at it and remember me.”

“I will,” he opens his hand to look at it and she can see his mind start to furrow.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing, its beautiful. Where did you get this?”

“My mother put it on me when I was born, is what I was told. I have always had it with me. Why?”

“This a Hishonian symbol?”

“Really? What does it mean?”

“Hope.”

“Was my mother Hishonian?”

“I do not know but maybe I can replace out more information. I love you Sara Hodgins. No matter what.”

“I love you too Bryne Wolfcrier.”

After one last kiss he mounts his horse, throws hood over his head and pulls up his face shield revealing only his bright yellow eyes. He blows a final kiss goodbye before he gives his horse a slight kick and rides to the northeast. Sara stands there as he rides off until he is out of sight. She looks at the bow, smiles and puts it on her back. After a moment of standing alone she decides to walk back to the courtyard to join the others. Katherine notices Sara from behind and quickly runs up to her. She notices the bow and puts a large smile on her face.

“Congrats,” she says finally catching up to her.

“On what?”

“I see the bow. Which means you either killed him, which is quite unlikely no offence, or there is a marriage in the works.”

“You don’t think I could’ve killed him at night in his sleep?”

“Well, first of all I just saw him this morning,” Katherine says as they both smile. “And I don’t know if he actually sleeps.”

“If you must know, yes, he gave it to me. I forget you two are siblings.”

“Yeah most do forget that. I mean I got the looks, smarts, and people skills,” jokes around Katherine. “So did he tell you the story of that bow?”

“Just that this and everything else was custom built for him?”

“Well, yes, in a way. The swords and armour? Absolutely. But this bow is actually a little older than that. It was his mother’s given to her by our father when they first got together. Don’t let that scare you. It isn’t the bow it’s the meaning and intent behind it.”

“So how is this one special to him?”

“He had it re enchanted when his mother passed it on to him the night he ran away or something along those lines.”

“What do you mean re enchanted, exactly?”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” Katherine assures. “Our stuff has to be enchanted to us, otherwise when we change our form bad things would happen. These enchanted items can change form with us, so we don’t lose our weapons or change back and be completely naked, you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

“I am guessing the husband is on his way then?”

“Husband?”

“Fine, future high queen. Your future husband is on his way,” Katherine rolls her eyes.

“Yes, he is on his way.”

“He is really crazy about you, you know that?”

“You think so?”

“You kidding? He doesn’t involve himself in political struggles as long as he gets to keep drinking, fighting and living his life by his own rules. Somehow you have found a way to tame the wild animal in him. I like it.”

“Do you know where he is going to go?” Sara asks as they approach the others.

“I have an idea. But I will tell you later when we are alone again.”

Alex continues to spar against Fromm who looks to have a broken nose, Tucker and Courtney spar together against the soldier.

“Damn, Fromm it looks like you may have bitten off a bit more than you could handle.”

“Does it look that way? Because you may be right.” He says as he cracks a smile and the others let out a little chuckle.

“Did he give you a concussion or something?” asks Sara.

“No, well maybe, but sometimes what an old man needs to open his eyes is for him to take a beating. I’ve been a fool about everything and I really do want to apologise to you all.”

“There is nothing to apologise for, my friend,” says Sara. “You did what you thought was right and I can’t fault you for that.”

“Next time give me a holler,” says Katherine. “I don’t need an excuse to teach my brother a lesson.”

“I do have to admit his skills with a sword are extraordinary. It was like nothing I have ever witnessed before. I didn’t stand a chance.”

“I am just glad he is on our side,” adds Tucker.

Just then a horn blows three steady low tones.

“The horn of Edjer,” responds Katherine. The horn goes again with another three steady tones. “Let’s go. Hurry.”

They run out of the courtyard and down the path that leads out of the Berthold wall. The horn gets louder as they run towards it. They run as quickly as possible without looking back. Soon King David is seen with the horn blowing it with Anne and a few other leaders approaching quickly around him. Rasham, Rahm and Cali come running from the coastline. David continues to blow the horn until all are present around him.

“David, what is it?” asks Katherine in an annoyed voice. “We are all here.”

“No, I think there is a few from Zeev that haven’t heard your horn,” adds Rahm.

“Guys, let him speak,” says Alex.

“Look to the heavens,” he replies as he points to western skies.

The dark clouds seem to be moving slowly and seem to even be larger than they were earlier that day. Lighting strikes continuously throughout the clouds.

“Her armies are on the move east,” points out Fromm.

“So the time has come,” says Rasham.

“Assemble your armies,” orders Alex just as an Elvish scout on a horse rides their direction.

“My lord,” he says out of breath as he jumps off of the horse. “Mercenary ships sail through the Delvish River towards the South Sea.”

“How many?” asks Rasham.

“Twenty-five maybe thirty at most.”

“Why so little? She must know the Elves have a larger fleet than that,” states Katherine.

“How many ships do you have?” asks Alex.

“Around a hundred,” answers Rahm.

“They come to destroy Berthold with twenty-five ships?” asks Katherine. “They can’t be that stupid.”

“Nevertheless, we have a job to do,” says Rasham.

“We can strike them down with all ships and eliminate them as quickly as possible,” boasts Rahm.

“Do not underestimate someone based on the size of their army, son. On the water one ship could create havoc under the right situation.”

“The fighting on the Edjer border has ceased on both sides. A much larger force of orcs. giants, dwarves and men march toward Berthold instead,” reports the scout.

“We kind of figured that by the sky,” says Sara.

“How many?” asks Alex.

He gulps and looks around nervously.

“Come on, how many?” says Rahm.

“Twenty thousand strong.”

“Twenty thousand? Nobody has a single army of that size. Together, with all five kingdoms, we may be able to amass that many,” says Rahm.

“What about the army from the North?” reminds Katherine.

“The gate remains closed, but all forces are assembled as well.”

“Alex, the decision is yours,” says Fromm.

Alex steps away from the group and stares at the dark clouds. He runs his hand through his hair, pondering different scenarios. Finally, he lets out a sigh and face his royal council members.

“Rasham, you will assemble your navy and attack the mercenaries. Whatever the queen is planning with those ships is something larger than we know.”

“I agree, my lord. We will assemble at once.”

Rasham and Rahm pay their respects by bowing and heading to their ships in the bay.

“Katherine and Sara, lead the Northern rebels to face them at the gates. Once we eliminate the queen, Lycus should become vulnerable.”

“Even if he is mortal we can’t hope to kill him in single hand combat. This man has defeated Bryne twice before. I mean Fromm can testify to what that means.”

Fromm can’t help but nod in agreement.

“Then we must pray he makes it to you soon enough or replace a way to defeat Lycus together.”

Katherine and Sara look at one another but realise that this is the only way.

“It will be done, my lord,” says Katherine.

“Good. Now David, I will ride with you and face the queen’s forces head on. Fromm, you will ride with us. I grant you the title of General of Berthold.”

Fromm can’t help but smile graciously.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“Tucker and Courtney, I need you to take this stone to Eugene.”

Alex hands over a stone that has a strange marking with some form of an elvish letter on it.

“Why does this look so familiar?” asks Courtney.

“It belongs to the portal. If things go bad I need you take those not fighting away from here and lead them to the east. No matter what, the enemy must not get a hold of that stone. They cannot control both portals. Do you understand?”

“We will do this if it is what you want,” replies Tucker. “But I can help fight the enemy with you.”

Alex walks up in front of his friend. He places his hand on the arm of his friend and looks at with him concerned.

“Not this time buddy. I need you to lead the kingdom if I fall.”

A tear forms in Tucker’s eye as he now places his hand on Alex’s arm.

“You will return and take your rightful place on the throne. And I will have your back no matter what.”

“I know you will.”

“Let us pray we see each other again,” says Courtney.

“We will as long as we believe in one another,” says Alex.

The four friends look at each other one last time before setting out on their own respected adventures. Sara walks alongside Katherine with much thought going on in her head. Katherine reties her red hair back in a high ponytail as she walks with conviction to her already assembled army on the north side of camp.

“Captain? Is everything ready?” Katherine asks a burly looking man on a grey horse.

“Yes, my lady.”

“Good, give the order.”

“Forward! March!”

The army of a few hundred move suddenly in unison. Sara and Katherine mount their horses and ride quickly to the front of the formation. Only a few officers ride on horses while a majority of the soldiers are forced to march on foot. Behind the officers, the archers march from the rear while spear throwers towards the front.

“We should be at the gate and in position by sun fall tomorrow if we push through all night,” informs Katherine.

“How do you know they aren’t already on their way?”

“My father would never risk leaving too far from the wall without the assurance that she remains alive and victorious. But the longer we wait the more, land she controls and the more power they gain.”

“So basically we have to keep him entertained until Bryne brings Alex the weapon which we will have no way of knowing until we stab him at the right moment.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right,” confirms Katherine.

Sara takes a deep breath and sighs.

“Right.”

“Don’t worry, Bryne will make it. He knows exactly where to replace them.”

“Where is he going to look for them?”

“In an ancient city called Saint Augustine. It is mainly left in ruins but he has reason to believe the Hishonian are underneath the city.”

“Why would he think that?”

“His mother was the leader of the Hishonian and the founder of the rebellion.”

Bryne rides for the next day without rest for him or his horse. After what seems like forever her rides to the top of a hill and sees the ruins of St. Augestine. He stops for a minute to allow his horse to rest and pats him on the side.

“Good girl,” he says to the horse. “We have made it and you can take some rest.”

He continues to move until he is about twenty feet away before he jumps off the horse and walks cautiously to the city entrance. A crackling of leaves is made behind him. He stops immediately and uses his peripherals to see a cloaked figure standing next to his horse and another. Slowly, he reaches for his dagger on his belt. He grabs it and gets ready to throw it when the cloaked figure puts its arms up and drops to its knees.

“Please! No!” pleads a familiar voice.

“Princess Hailey?” he questions.

She drops her hood back revealing her red hair and pale freckled face. She forces out a nervous smile.

“Hi?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to know if the Hishonian were real. They were once Northerners.”

“Does your father know?”

“Are you kidding? He would’ve never allowed it.”

“I… can’t even begin to tell you how irresponsible this is. You could’ve been killed. You could’ve been captured.”

“Oh please, you couldn’t even tell I was following.”

“Fine, you stay close, stay quiet and let me do any speaking.”

He leads the way to a large wooden gate that has fallen off two of its hinges and now hangs on its last one. The brick wall looks mainly in tact instead of a few smashed areas. The buildings inside are left to nearly nothing and unliveable. He pulls out his wolf swords as he approaches the main building cautiously. The main hall looks like it may be in decent condition. In fact, it looks like may be the only thing in the city that is still standing. The door looks completely barricaded but he looks up the steps for any traps anyways. He purposely sets off the three bear traps and kicks them to the side. He puts both of his swords in his left hand. His right arm reaches out to the front door just when he hears a bow string pull back. Hailey turns around and gasps by seeing an arrow at Bryne’s head. He sighs and puts his hand down and grabs his blades back in both hands. He uses his sword as a mirror and sees a hooded female with black hair flowing out. She is wearing white armour with a tiger engraved into it. Her bow is almost identical to Bryne’s but with also a tiger in the bow. He lets out a comical sigh stands up straight and puts his swords away without moving his head.

“Hey, Isabella, long time no see. How have you been?”

“Bryne, give me one reason not to put this arrow in your head.”

“Because you love me.”

“Not funny, I am a married woman now. I don’t associate myself with the dogs like you. Now why are you and who is the girl?”

“Princess Hailey of Edjer. She is a refugee from the North.”

“And you forced her to accompany you?”

“I volunteered in a way,” Hailey gives an innocent shrug.

“So, your stupid. Not my place though. Why are you here, Bryne?”

“Because, I need your help. In fact, the high king and the Five Kingdoms needs you.”

“Yeah, you always need me. But do I need you?”

She puts the bow down but keeps the arrow ready to fire and Bryne turns around slowly facing the female warrior. He pulls down his mask and hood revealing his face.

“I think my reason for being here affects everyone in the world.”

“After everything you have done, you have some nerve showing up here.”

“Look, I admit it was all my fault. I thought together we could defeat Lycus. The Order had promised to help.”

“And in the process got your mom, our leader, killed.”

“Yeah, and I had to watch it happen too. I sat in that cell chained to the wall with a broken body as her body was shredded apart. So, I ran away from everything and that includes you. I went into exile to keep those I cared about safe. So yeah, I messed up big time. This isn’t about me though. And it isn’t about you. It’s about putting an end to him once and for all. Now you can either call off your snipers or you can shoot me and hope you can hit me. Which one is it going to be?”

She looks up to her left and then to her right which hidden are two sniper archers with their bows drawn and aimed at Bryne. Hailey now sees them on the rooftops and takes a small step back. Bryne quickly grabs her before she can step into the bear trap located just inches from her foot.

“Don’t move,” warns Bryne.

Isabella lets out an irritated sigh before putting her bow on her back.

“Of course, you saw them. Put them down! And one of you reset the traps! We are going down.”

“Down? What is down?”

Isabella lets out a little smile and walks passed the both of them.

“Your mother believed in the Hishonian way of life, even if a person was not full blood. The Hishonian are not just animal spirit warriors anymore but any refugee looking for a fresh start. We now live our lives in that belief. The belief that we are a way of life and not just a bloodline anymore.”

“That’s a relief. There is probably, what, three of us left in this world.”

“There is four. You, me, Katherine and Reese.”

Isabella walks to the next to the door and taps a few slightly discoloured bricks and backs up. The floor from beneath their feet reshapes showing a winding staircase leading down into darkness. Isabella leads the way down with Hailey and Bryne following cautiously.

“I can’t believe Reese is still alive.”

“You have a problem with him?”

“Yeah,” says as he grabs a torch off of the wall. “He is probably the nicest person I have ever met. It is almost obnoxious.”

“Well, you should like him better now that he doesn’t like you either.”

“So, he is like everyone else, then?”

“Pretty much.”

“Why doesn’t he like me? I never did anything to him.”

“He is my husband now.”

“Wow.”

“What?”

“You really had to marry the last available Hishonian in the world, didn’t you?”

“Shut up. That is not why I married him.”

“Whatever you say. How far does this place go? And how?” Asks Bryne.

“The Black Prince is dumfounded. That’s a first,” Isabella says with a smirk.

“Come on. Don’t be like that.”

“About a hundred meters down and we are almost there. You know what your mother was. She created this for those wanting to hide. And we continued it to make it into a thriving city. In fact, we are a little more than just a thriving city.”

As she says that the stairs open up to a large underground city with crowds of people bustling around. Small shops are built into the side of the walls and along with different alleys and even homes. Bryne can’t help but stare in amazement. The city is lighted up by some sort of magic orb in the ceiling. Homes are dug into the side of the room. Bryne first walks up to a large dragon statue with a plaque in the front stands in the middle of the room towering over the entire city.

“Huh, looks just like her,” he says smiling and Isabella rolls her eyes. “Hey mom.”

“Your mother is a dragon?” says Hailey. Bryne turns around completely forgetting that she was still following.

“She was,” says Bryne.

“Pretty impressive, isn’t it?”

“This place is incredible. Where did they all come from?” asks Hailey.

“Many are former tribes such as the Hera that came here when they’re homes were destroyed and Northern refugees. However, they must be willing to defend this place when the time comes and learn to believe in the Hishonian way. Together we have created a civilization where the outside world cannot hurt us. Most don’t know we even exist.”

“I met a boy in Berthold that was Hera,” he says as he is led to a door at the front at the north end of the city. “Elipidus was his name.”

“Did you send him this way?”

“No, I gave him a sack full of gold. I am not gonna send him on his own into the wilderness.”

“It’s you, I don’t know.”

“Thanks. It’s crazy to think how much has changed of our people.”

“We are a dying breed, you and me. It has been up to me and Reese to lead these people. Here we are. On the other side of this door is the answer to what you seek.”

“How do you know what I seek?”

“Clearly Alex sent you and that means you are here for the weapon that can destroy the White Queen.”

“Why don’t you take a moment to go explore the city, Hailey?” Bryne says to the princess.

She nods and starts to wander around before getting lost in the crowd. Bryne takes a moment and decides to walk into the room. Isabella follows behind him and dismisses the only two guards that are inside the room. The room is full of ancient artifacts along the walls. In the front of the room is a scroll sitting behind a glass case. Bryne walks over to the case and opens it, grabbing the scroll carefully. He grazes his fingers along the brow-yellowish paper.

“This is it? This is the weapon?” He asks.

“We assume it’s a clue, jackass. But nobody has ever opened it. You will be the first.”

“You know I brought this journal all the way here. The least you could do is look it over. Just amuse me a little.”

He hands her the journal and walks over to the scroll. He slowly opens up the old looking scroll. He looks at the symbols and shows frustration on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s in Hishonian.”

“Are you kidding me, Bryne? Give me the scroll.”

She snatches it out of his hands and looks at it.

“I don’t understand. If Alex and Sara’s mother created the weapon, then why does everything point to the Hishonian people? Unless, -,”

“Unless, it was their father,” they figure out together.

“Or mother,” says Bryne.

“Why do you say that?”

He pulls out the sun necklace and hands it to her. She looks at it closely observing the authenticity of the medallion. Amazement goes across her face when she realizes fully what it is.

“Where did you get this beauty?”

“Sara. Her mother gave it to her before her death.”

“And she gave it to you. How cute? I think their father gave it to their mother. He must’ve been Hishonian.”

“I thought he was a Protector and is that the weapon?” asks Bryne confused.

“Is it possible he was both a Protector and Hishonian?”

“Well what does the scroll say?” asks Bryne.

“It’s simple, it says, ‘The weapon to destroy evil is blood.’”

“The weapon to destroy evil is blood?” repeats Bryne.

He paces a little bit rubbing his stubble.

“Is Alex the weapon?”

“Unbelievable, huh?”

“So many questions but no time to figure them out. I hate to do so, but I need to ask more of you.”

“You want us to go to war, don’t you?” she asks while looking at a pure ivory sword. “You don’t hate to ask, you don’t have to lie to me.”

“How do you know I want you to go to war?”

“I am the smartest person you know, that is why you came to me, remember?”

“Whatever you say. I need your help. What can I do to convince you to fight with me?”

“Well, for starters we want to belong in the Five Kingdoms. I know you don’t have that power, but Alex and Sara obviously have a great deal of respect for you. I believe you do have the power to combine the forces of the North and the Hishonian once again. I also want you to no longer, well, be you. No more of this mysterious personality. I want you to be the leader that I know you can be. I want you to lead us into the Hishonian army into war. Lastly, I want you to kill Lycus.”

“I can’t do anything about the first thing, but I will guarantee the death of Lycus before my time is over here.”

“Well, it really is the one I wanted the most anyways.”

Bryne smiles and puts his fist on his chest and bows slightly. She does the same as they agree on the terms.

“I have no way to make it to both Alex in Edjer and Sara battling at the White Wall.”

“Well, not by horse anyways,” she smiles and beckons him to follow. Before he leaves, he grabs the ivory sword that she was looking at before. “What are you doing with that?”

“I figure Alex may need the confidence. I mean who is going to believe he was the weapon all along.”

“Good thinking.”

“I mean who is going to believe that this mysterious weapon that his parents made was their child.”

“I guess it does make sense. They did both make him.”

“Come on, Isabella, I already inferred how everything makes sense. I don’t need to picture them together.”

“Alright, you big baby.”

She leads him to another room not too far away that is heavily guarded. The door is made of steel, the only one like it in the whole underground city.

“What is behind that door?”

“The largest secret in all of the world,” she responds smiling.

The guards open up the steel doors and Bryne follows Isabella into the room. The room is just an empty box.

“You have a big steel box guarded by four soldiers? You must be really bored down here,” says Bryne sarcastically.

“Do you ever shut up?”

He shrugs and lets out a slight grin. She hits a lever and the room starts to move upward. A loud roar gets louder as they come to a stop and two doors open up revealing three dragons in cages.

“Dragons?” Bryne walks up to one, “I thought they were extinct. I guess I owe that shopkeeper an apology.”

“They are the last of their kind, just like us.”

“They’re beautiful.”

Bryne puts his hand through the cage with no fear among his face. Isabella and another man with hair similar to Bryne’s but shorter, step closely with a nervous look upon their faces as they watch the warrior approach the great beast. The pure golden beast approaches the arm. A growl comes from the mouth and a puff of smoke from the nose. Bryne refuses to move a muscle. The great dragon calms itself by placing its snout against his hand.

“Incredible,” says the man.

“It takes a beast to tame a beast,” smiles Isabella.

“Yes, because I’m the only beast in the room,” Bryne says sarcastically as he looks at the man.

“Good to see you, Bryne.”

“You as well, Reese.”

They meet each other in the middle and shake hands.

“I hear that might be a lie.”

“Why is that?”

“Little birdy or tiger says you now hate me.”

“Hate is such a strong word.”

They both laugh as the three gathers around.

“So how is the biggest pain in the ass in the world?” jokes around Reese.

“Ready for battle. With these dragons three of us can ride to the battle in Edjer while Isabella leads the Hishonian army to the north.”

“Alright, I can do that,” agrees Isabella. “Reese, grab a rider and open the roof.”

Reese heads up the elevator to follow Isabella’s orders. Bryne approaches the dragon again and unlocks the cage. He stands at its head without any worry.

“It really is remarkable how she just warmed up to you. She has never been rode before for that reason.”

“What is her name?”

“Doesn’t have one. You know how it is. No rider, no name.”

“Why doesn’t she have a rider?”

“Nobody was able to tame her before a few moments ago.”

The beast and warrior stand beside each other. He grabs her snout and hugs it and gives it a scratch.

“How about Hearne? What do you think?”

The great beast nudges Bryne gently in approval. A puff of cold smoke comes out of the nostrils.

“Is she an ice dragon?” he asks.

“Yes, but still young and can’t quite breathe ice yet. None of them are old enough for their powers yet.”

“Where did you even replace them?”

“Your mother found them somewhere on her journeys when they were just eggs.”

“Of course, she did. What didn’t she do?”

“What happened that night?”

“She died, and I am responsible for it. That is what is important. Nothing else matters from that night.”

“I just want to know how. She was like a mother to me too.”

The elevator then creeks open with Reese and one other man next to him. They approach their dragons, open the other two gates and mount their dragons. The roof cracks open and revealing the cloudy morning sky. The man, then Reese take off going through the opening.

“Bryne, wait,” says Isabella as she approaches him. “I noticed you are missing something.”

She hands him her bow.

“Isabella, I-,” he starts to say.

“Relax, it’s not my bow. But I figured you may need one while riding a dragon. Good luck. And congrats Prince of the North,” winks Isabella. “She is a lucky girl.”

“Thanks, Isabella. Watch over Hailey for me.”

“Will do.”

“Hearne, lets ride.”

He takes off upward and rides with the others in formation to the west towards Edjer.