“Dreams… will I ever realise them? Can I even have them anymore?
Everything that I knew of my future has been shattered like a broken window. I have to sacrifice the future with Helenia that I always dreamed of to save our world.
How am I ever going to tell her?”
Helenia took in a deep breath and refocused on her fighting stance, steadying herself and placing her legs far apart. Sweat dripped from her chin. Wearing armour for the first time made sword fighting difficult for her, and she quickly tired with its weight.
“Now Helenia, listen to me. I want you to hit me like we practiced earlier. Remember your training, and most of all, do nothing else but focus. Clear your mind,” said Faowind, holding his sword in a defensive posture.
Come on, Helenia, you can do this, she thought as she tightened her grip on her sword. With a deep grunt, she swung her sword with all of her strength. It struck Faowind’s in a fiery clash of metal.
“That’s very good, Helenia. Now follow up with combination attacks. Keep moving and hit me as hard as you can. You are doing very well,” said Faowind with an approving smile.
Andrielle stood on the outskirts of the training grounds, near Karven’s mighty form, watching her daughter train for hours with Faowind.
“You know,” said Karven, “she really does have great potential as a fighter. You must be very proud of her.”
“Of course I am proud of my daughter, but although I have allowed her this special request, I am only letting her to train for the direst of circumstances,” said Andrielle. “Can I ask you to watch over her when we are attacked? It is inevitable that war is upon us, but we need at least one royal to live through it.”
“Do you really need to ask? Of course I will watch over her, and protect her with the best of my abilities during battle. I will, of course, also be watching over you,” he replied.
“Your words warm my heart, dragon king. But I want you to know that I would gladly put my life before hers and will do so without hesitation. If my life is taken from me, can you please do me the favour of taking her away from all of this? I can’t bear the thought of us both dying out there,” whispered Andrielle.
“Great Elven Queen, I would do almost anything that you ask. But do you really want your army to be deserted if Helenia were to become queen on the battlefield?” asked Karven.
“No. I suppose you are right, Karven,” sighed Andrielle. “Let us hope that it does not come to that decision.”
Helenia swung her sword above her head, then let it come crashing down on Faowind’s weapon with an impressive display of sparks. She narrowed her eyes and growled, "This is useless practice! How will this prepare me for the realism of war? My enemies won't be so careful not to hit me. Show me something real!"
"As you wish, princess," Faowind replied firmly. He swung around and, hit Helenia hard in the stomach with the butt of his sword. Twisting his body in the other direction, the back of his hand connected with her face and sent her to the ground like a fallen sack of potatoes. Helenia cried out with the sharp pains searing through her body.
She struggled to regain her breath, using her sword to lever herself back onto her feet. Helenia was visibly hurt, and even a blind man could see the anger blazing within her eyes like a wild furnace. She raised her sword in the air with determination and chanted a spell: “ Iuxta bolem involam. ”
Her sword hummed and ignited with fire from the hilt, the heat distorting Faowind’s view of her. Her armour emitted a slight white glow. Helenia sprinted at him as if she had complete freedom of movement, cutting her sword through the air with inhuman speed. Faowind barely had time to think or react, only just placing his sword in her path to defend himself in time. Flames burst from the impact of their weapons and lit small fires on the ground near their feet.
“Helenia! What are you doing?” yelled Andrielle, running towards her daughter.
The queen noticed a crowd gathered to watch the battle, cheering from the excitement.
Faowind knew he had to do something to stop Helenia's fury and quickly ducked out of her path. He closed his eyes to cast a spell of his own.
“ Ex caelo phasmam fluminis evoco.”
A distant scream erupted from the sky and the entire city turned its gaze to the canopy and waited, whispering to each other in fear. A water spirit burst from the clouds, her liquid face scanning the ground for the enchanted sword. It instantly located the magic emanating from the enchanted sword and with a gurgling hiss, it reeled back and lurched forward at full speed towards Helenia’s position.
The crowd began cheering with excitement and encouragement at the fierce fighting before them. Faowind used all of his strength to deflect Helenia’s attacks and keep her at bay. Helenia leapt into the air, swinging her sword in a circular motion and narrowly missing Faowind’s head as he ducked out of the way of the flames above him.
"Helenia, stop!" yelled Andrielle.
The water spirit fell hard from the tree canopy and crashed into Helenia’s body, sending the princess plummeting to the ground yet again. A large gush of water spread over the grass and put out the small fires that had begun to build. Helenia coughed up water from her lungs and dropped her drenched sword to the ground beside her, her hand cramped from battle. She eased herself up to a crouched position, shaking her head in pain and confusion.
“My goodness, Helenia! I had no idea you had the ability to use magic, let alone fight with such ferocity. If your powers are that strong, we certainly could use you in the battle ahead,” said Faowind, struggling to regain his breath.
“Neither did I, Faowind,” said Andrielle, nearing them with Karven beside her.
“The spectacle’s over,” said Karven. “Everyone get moving, now! This is not the time for standing around and watching. We could be attacked at any moment and these are the opportunities Kassina is waiting for.”
The crowd began to disperse through the city at the order from the King of Dragons. Andrielle helped her daughter back to her feet, dusting off the dirt from her shoulders. The princess stood gracefully for a few moments before falling back into the mud in sheer exhaustion. Faowind quickly picked her up off the ground and gently slung her over his shoulder.
Andrielle's face dropped as she spoke through a sigh, “Oh, Helenia. I have been far too protective of you. If my protection has forced you to keep your powers a secret even from me, then it is about time I took a step back. Faowind, take her to her room and find an elven healer to return her strength as quickly as possible."
“Of course, my Queen,” said Faowind with a smile. He turned and marched towards Helenia’s room, with the princess dangling weakly in his arms like a stuffed ragdoll, as Karven turned his attention to Andrielle.
“To cast two spells of such magnitude takes one who is not only born with great powers, but who is exceptionally powerful. And to have cast them without any formal training is phenomenal. Dare I say it, I doubt that she needs protecting from anyone,” said Karven.
Andrielle stared at the ground and could not look the dragon in the eye. “I know; you are right. I realise this now. But I am always battling my motherly instinct, and the wisdom that I have learned over the many years as queen."
“I now completely understand the attraction between the princess and Vartan. They are drawn together by forces that are beyond their control. It is a shame indeed,” said Karven.
The ground suddenly trembled beneath their feet, sending a shower of leaves raining down into the city from the canopy of the trees. The whispering of the inhabitants slowly erupted into a mixture of panic and excitement.
“ Longinque animadvertam, ” chanted Andrielle.
Her vision flew through Veldrenn in the direction of Greenhaven. She continued her farsight through the countless trees, past the elven guards who had swords drawn at the ready in their fighting positions. Andrielle panicked and sped further, towards the flashes of fire leading to the outskirts of the Elven Woods. Battling fairies zipped in and out from the forest’s edge, resting momentarily behind trees for cover before engaging the forces of darkness. The chaos that was suddenly before her hit her like a wall in her face.
Bang!
A burning missile from Kassina’s catapults exploded spectacularly into flame, sending screaming fairies fleeing from tree to tree in desperation as they struggled to find safe shelter and prepare for another attack. Andrielle focused her mind to send out a message to the fairies.
Do not attempt to stay in the path of the Dark Army. There is nothing more you can do. Come to the safety of the city, brave fairies. Quickly now.
The fairies all stopped in mid-air momentarily and looked to their queen, Nicolai. Only the crackles of fires and trees burning could be heard. Nicolai nodded knowingly and they suddenly flew as fast as they could towards Veldrenn. A flurry of glowing fairies lit up the forest. Andrielle sighed with relief and allowed her shoulders to relax momentarily.
However, the Elven Queen was not as lucky as she had hoped. Her message was also heard by unfriendly ears.
Kassina turned to her catapult teams and laughed with delight.
“Keep up the bombardment, but don't stop moving! Fire and move forward before firing again. We have them on the run!” She turned her attention to her golem. “Glaucus!” she barked. “Start clearing those trees!”
Glaucus grunted as he made his way to the burning wall of trees ahead of them. With a horrible cracking sound, he tore the first burning tree in his sight from the ground and held it up in the air. He turned to Kassina with a look of confusion on his face. She smiled back at her summoned pet as she calmly relayed her order with an ominous voice. “Every tree you rip out, throw it ahead of us as far as you can. The elves can keep their treasured trees."
Glaucus grunted as he took a few heavy steps back. The surrounding army steadied themselves from the shaking ground. Glaucus swung the giant burning tree behind him and then launched forward. The tree tore through the air like a burning spear, flying in the direction of Veldrenn.
Andrielle returned her vision and turned to Karven with a paled face. “We need to get ready for battle, now — and we need dragons in the air,” she said, with a slight hint of panic in her voice.
“And why do you need my dragons in the air already?” asked Karven warily.
The canopy of the city shuddered loudly. A burning tree crashed through it and smashed violently into one of the houses below. The screams of the elves within were blood-curdling as they began to burn alive. Elves and humans rushed to the water wells in a vain effort to save them.
Andrielle pointed to the burning building and cried, “ That’s why! Please, great dragons, help us stop those trees before more of us get killed."
Karven snorted jets of fire, nodded and took flight with great strength, sending dirt and leaves flying into the air.
“ Exeunt omnes, ” chanted Andrielle. The canopy of trees burst open with a resounding roar, as if they were longing for her command. The city was filled with a high pitched vibration that sounded as if it was coming from the trees around them.
“Dragons! The time has come for us to take to the skies and honour our alliance. Let us move to the skies and defend Veldrenn!” ordered Karven.
The dragons took flight and sent a surge of wind over the city. Everyone ducked for cover as the dragons ascended into the sky. Their clothes flapped wildly in the whirlwind.
“Good luck, Karven!” yelled Andrielle.
“Good luck to you, too, Andrielle,” responded Karven, before the formation of dragons filled the night sky and almost completely blocked the moonlight.
A second burning tree hurtled through the sky towards the city. Karven soared to it with great speed, catching the tree in his claws with a smooth roll of his body. Strips of bark burst from its surface as his grip took hold.
“Dragons, grab yourself a tree and let’s show them how bitter their own medicine tastes,” cried Karven.
The dragons all blew a burst of fire in acknowledgement of Karven’s order and flew powerfully in Kassina’s direction, ready for war.
Andrielle sat in her room, sharpening her sword with great haste. Her door creaked open as she felt a presence enter and close the door behind them. She breathed deep as she turned to face her intruder, her shaky hands revealing her fear.
"My queen, you summoned me?" asked Dryden softly.
She turned to him and stared at him with watery eyes. After a silent moment, her lip quivered as she began to cry. "Is this really happening?" she wept.
Dryden approached her gently and hesitated before daring to take her in his arms and hold her close to his chest. Her words came in quick breaths between sobs. "Look at me! I need to lead us into war and I am falling apart. How will I do this? I have never shed blood in my life. Deep down, I am scared stiff. Am I a coward, Dryden? Do I have what it takes to lead them?"
Dryden reached up and held her chin to bring her face up to his as he looked deep into her eyes. "My queen. If I may, it is because you are scared stiff, and you still stand to lead them, that you are worthy of doing so. Courage is in your heart, and I will be proud to stand beside you in battle, Your Highness. I will protect you and Helenia, and would die for either of you."
Andrielle looked deep into his eyes and she suddenly leaned in to lay a soft kiss on Dryden's lips before her eyes burst open and she quickly withdrew from his arms. A shudder went through the ground as a burning missile crashed into the city.
She looked away from him and her face reddened. "Forgive me, Dryden,” she whispered. “You are one of my most trusted friends, and I did not mean to break that trust. Thank you for your kindness, but I need to be alone for a moment. Please, leave me to make ready my sword."
Dryden smiled. "My trust has not been broken, my queen. I am always here for you, whatever you need."
He shut the door behind him and shook out his hands to calm his fluttering heart as he returned to his duties.