The Conquest of Mytheyr
Chapter 1

“I’m sorry, sir,” said the armor-clad guard in a tone that said he was notsorry at all, “but the King is holding court, and can not be bothered rightnow. This famine takes precedence over foreign lords.”

“I see.” The pale elf answeredwearily. The guard had faithfully served his King for fifty years, and he hadnever seen an elf like this. Tall and slim, that was not so unusual, but hispale, waxy skin stood out against the gray skin of the Dark Elves thatpopulated Mytheyr. His hair was white blonde, which was rare among all races.His face was almost too bony. Most of all, it was his eyes. They were such apale blue that they were almost white, and they had a cold, intense look inthem. There are subtle things that the Fey can see in eyes that mortals can’t, butthose small details were not present in the gaze of this stranger. The guarddidn’t like it. Moreover, he didn’t like him. This ‘lord’, as he introducedhimself, was obviously pompous and controlling, traits that the guardassociated with mortal humans, who were long gone from this world.

“You must understand,” the pale elfinformed him, “I have no intention of waiting. I have done far too much ofthat.”

What the guard wanted to say was “Get this through yourthick, perfumed head…” but instead, he said, less then politely, “I am afraidyou will have to wait. The King is not. Taking. Visitors. Sir.”

“Ah, well.”The pale elf sighed, “I tried it the easy way.”

The ground shook. Cracks tore the palace’s courtyard intojagged sections, and the Dark Elven servants scampered away from the faults infear. Horses reared and whinnied nervously, but they were well-trained anddidn’t run away. The guard staggered back a few paces, though the pale elfstood undisturbed.

“Fine horses.” The pale elf commented, “Such is the virtueof our species, yes?”

The earthexploded as stone golems ripped their way out of the ground. They moved withincredible speed for things so heavy and bulky, for in seconds they had pulledthemselves out of the ground, charged across the courtyard as one, and brokethe gilded palace doors. There was a moment of shocked silence. Then cries ofpain, fear and confusion rang out. An alarm bell began to chime in the guardtower.

“Send your soldiers, my King.” The pale elf chuckled tohimself. “I’m afraid it’s all in vain…”

He steppedlightly over the broken body of the former guard and strode into the palace’smain hall. He crossed the long hall with long, confident strides, and he soonreached the council room. The doors were smashed into dust by his stone golems,and a ferocious battle was taking place within. The Dark Elven nobles and lordsof the council were too smart too blunt their swords against stone, so theyattempted to disassemble the golems with Wind and Fire magicks. But neitherglyph, nor word, nor energy spell seemed to be able to touch the golems as theywrecked havoc, smashing the tiered seats and blocking the exits, not caring whoor what was injured and killed in the process.

The paleelf surveyed the carnage for a few moments before speaking.

“Stop,” He did not speak loudly, but his voice carried. Everyear heard it, and the golems froze mid-action. A thick silence filled the room.

The Kingwas not a violent man. But now he was feeling pretty violent.

“Who are you to dare attack us? I will end your miserablelife!” the King conjured a sword of Dark magic, and charged at the strange,pale elf. The elf lifted his hand lazily, and the King was grabbed by the neckand held up in the air by an invisible force.

“I am Semele. I came here tochallenge you, my King,” he said calmly, smiling faintly at the strugglingroyal Dark Elf, “but you have spared me the trouble.” Semele’s smile widenedinto a bloodthirsty grin. His raised hand went from a relaxed position to astaut as a bowstring. The King’s neck snapped, and the Queen screamed as theKing’s two sons drew their swords and rushed to avenge their father’s death.Two golems grabbed them off the ground, and swift, ugly crunches rent the air.They dropped the princes’ broken bodies to the ground. The nobles all criedout, some in anger, and some in cowardice.

Semele letthe King’s body fall and strode to the throne. The Queen still stood by it, andby now the others in the room had begun to recover from their shock.

“Kill the Queen.” Semele said dismissively. The nearest golem grabbed her, and her bodywas flung across the room.

Semelestood in front of the throne, and turned to face the gaping elves. He flung outhis arms, a maniac grin on his face.

“In case you missed it,” he announced, laughing, “I justbecame the new king of Mytheyr.”